I think I now found out the destinatary of the gun (presumably not the buyer, but the recipient of a gift of appreciation - or an ostentatious bribe from a robber baron, which is more likely here).
Because George W(alter) Vaughn [* 1829, + 1906] was a nationally famous and esteemed, also very influential US railway engineer, and his zenith of reputation and activity is loacted almost exactly at the estimated production date of this gun.

Impressive pedigree:
https://accessgenealogy.com/illinois/biography-of-george-w-vaughn.htm
Grave:
https://de.findagrave.com/memorial/148681415/george_walter-vaughn

The gun looks quaint (more of a heirloom and boasting piece for the "gentlemen's parlour" than a real hunting gun, which Vaughn will have already had and well used), and it also appears too fresh or refreshed. The small barrel's assumed caliber ".32 Remington" is hardly credible either, given the distinctly later date of ineption (around 1906) of this autoloader cartridge.

An esteemable curio, made by a talented inventor and tinkerer, I would say. The apparent, misinterpretable indication "Bryan Willliams Co." actually means: "village [now city] of BRYAN in WILLIAMS COunty, Ohio". The producer there was William Folk, Folk's Gun Works. The style, unusual for a Drilling, is 100 %& consistent, nigh identical with their other old-fashioned quality guns:
https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...omestead-long-rifle.cfm?gun_id=102398113

The German auction by Hermann Historica in 2013 raised its price from 1200 € (start) to 1300 € (fall of gavel), plus 25 % auctioneer's premium.

:-D

Carcano

Last edited by Carcano; 09/04/25 06:53 AM.