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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> 'Classic' Firearms Photos & Archive

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Ash
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Reged: 10/05/11
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Loc: Australia
Colt Revolving Rifles & Shotguns
      #255728 - 26/10/14 07:07 PM

I like these, so decided to start a thread to archive some

Thanks to Lancaster for the inspiration.

Start with the oldest!

VERY RARE COLT MODEL 1839 REVOLVING PERCUSSION CARBINE.
SN 320. Cal. .525 smooth bore. Very rare carbine with 24" faceted to rnd smooth bore bbl, German silver pin front sight and fixed rear sight, without forearm. Mounted with uncheckered straight gram American walnut buttstock that has smooth, steel, semi-crescent buttplate. Trigger guard is serpentine shaped. Cyl is 2-1/2″ long, six chambers with rounded shoulder and 4-slot nipples. Serial number was observed on the wedge, cyl rotating ring & toe of the buttplate. No further disassembly was effected to check for additional matching numbers. The numbers on rear face of bbl lug & cyl have been obliterated by corrosion. According to various publications there were about 950 of these carbines produced 1838-1841. These are some of Colts most rare long arms and are almost never found today in any condition. Accompanied by Mr. Yearout’s Collection inventory card which shows that he purchased this carbine in May 1972 from well known Western dealer Evie Morgan of Clarkston, WA. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of Lewis & Leyton Yearout. CONDITION: Good, appears to be all matching as best that can be determined. No orig finish remains with the metal being a mottled silver/brown patina with light pitting. Stock has several light grain checks with a repair and wood fill around top & bottom tangs and retains a hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine; dark pitted bore. 4-53849 JR38 (8,000-12,000)





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Ash
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Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1652
Loc: Australia
Re: Colt Revolving Rifles & Shotguns [Re: Ash]
      #255729 - 26/10/14 07:44 PM

SCARCE COLT MODEL 1855 HALF STOCK PERCUSSION SPORTING RIFLE.
SN 2859. Cal. 44. Fine deluxe rifle with 27" oct to rnd bbl, nickel silver Rocky Mountain front sight and 3-leaf rear sight graduated to 300 yds. Bottom of the bbl has a steel rib with two guides containing its orig brass tipped wood cleaning rod. Cyl is full fluted and six shots. Mounted with nicely figured American walnut with uncheckered small forearm that has nickel silver tip. Stock has a checkered straight grip with shotgun style heel & toe plates. Toe of the stock has a large repaired section. Trigger guard is serpentine shape. According to The Book of Colt Firearms, Wilson, there were 1,000 to 1,500 of these rifles produced 1857-1864. Although these rifles were reasonably popular on the American frontier they were eventually supplanted by the advent of cartridge arms. They usually saw hard service under adverse conditions and are rarely found today with high orig finish. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of Lewis & Leyton Yearout. CONDITION: About fine. Bbl retains 15-20% orig brown finish with the balance a grey/brown patina; receiver & cyl retain 65-70% orig blue, stronger in sheltered areas. Stock has the aforementioned repair on the toe, otherwise wood is sound with usual nicks & scratches and retains most of a restored finish on the buttstock and the orig finish on the forearm. Mechanics are fine; bright shiny bore. 4-53948 JR103 (4,000-6,000)









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Ash
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Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1652
Loc: Australia
Re: Colt Revolving Rifles & Shotguns [Re: Ash]
      #255731 - 26/10/14 08:19 PM

COLT FACTORY PRESENTATION MODEL 1855 SIDE HAMMER SHOTGUN TO RETIRING COLT EMPLOYEE IN 1868.
SN 967. Cal. 10 Gauge. Spectacular deluxe revolving shotgun, blued finish and color case hardened hammer with 30" oct to rnd bbl and single nickel silver bead. Mounted with highly figured, checkered American walnut buttstock and small uncheckered forearm with nickeled brass tip. Buttstock has a smooth steel buttplate. Forearm is secured with a single key through nickeled brass escutcheons. Bottom of bbl has a metal rib with two iron guides containing an original Colt brass tipped, gutta percha wiping rod. It has a 5-shot fluted cylinder with usual frame & cylinder markings. The top tang is inscribed in period script engraving, “Presented to Wm. Tuller by Colt’s P.F.A. Mfg. Co. Oct. 1st 1868″. Accompanied by a seven page letter from renowned Colt authority, historian and author, Larry Wilson wherein he presents great detail regarding Mr. Tuller’s employment as final inspector for the Colt assembly line. He relates that in March of 1857, an 18 page article appeared in THE UNITED STATES MAGAZINE entitled “A Day at the Armory of Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Connecticut”. This article was published on p.357 of HISTORY OF THE COLT REVOLVER, Haven & Belden. Mr. Tuller was apparently an inspector for several years and his small “T” will be found on many early Colt firearms. Mr. Wilson indicates that Mr. Tuller retired on Oct. 15, 1868 and had been an employee of Colt’s for their entire existence up to that point. Mr. Wilson lists a review of the Colt Factory Journal “B”, on p.588 and under the date Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1868, shows that this shotgun was presented to William Tuller with appendages “As per day book 45/48″. Mr. Wilson states that this book no longer exists and that no entry can be found for this shotgun in Colt records, probably due to the flood in the 1930s. Mr. Wilson states that this shotgun will be featured in future editions of THE COLT ENGRAVING BOOK and in other publications. Also accompanied by copies of the cover and p.74 of COLT PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FACTORY LEDGERS 1856-1869, by Houze. It shows p.588, dated Tuesday, November 17. 1868 that a 30″ 75 cal. shotgun and appendages were presented to “Wm Tuller as per Day book 45.48″. There is an asterisk, “William Tuller retired from the Colt company on October 15, 1868″. CONDITION: Extraordinarily fine. Retains virtually all of its fine orig factory finish to both metal & wood; bbl has scattered light spots of surface rust and a scratch near the muzzle and is turning slightly plum; ramrod is extremely fine; frame retains 92-94% glossy bright orig blue with the flaked areas a dark patina; cylinder retains 70-75% glossy bright orig blue with the flaked areas a dark patina; hammer retains 50-60% silvered case colors and the loading lever about 80% dark case colors. Wood is sound, with the stock having a few grain checks on both sides and normal light handling & storage marks on both stock & forearm and both retain most of their bright orig factory varnish; buttplate retains 30-40% orig blue with the balance flaked to a dark patina. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. This fine shotgun is probably unfired and any finish loss is from flaking & storage, not wear. 4-47898 JR126 (35,000-50,000)











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Ash
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Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1652
Loc: Australia
Re: Colt Revolving Rifles & Shotguns [Re: Ash]
      #255732 - 26/10/14 08:25 PM

One from the Australian Arms Auctions.

COLT MODEL 1855 FULL STOCKED SPORTING REVOLVING CARBINE: 56 Cal; 5 shot cylinder; 21” barrel; p. bore; std sights; top strap marked COL COLT HARTFORD CT USA; g. profiles & clear address; rifle has vice marks to the barrel & severe bruising to frame & cylinder; grey finish to barrel & frame; dark brown to furniture & butt plate; g. walnut butt; fair forend; complete with swivels & orig rod. C.1856.

Serial # 282

Estimate: $1800-2500

Price realized: $3200



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Ash
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Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1652
Loc: Australia
Re: Colt Revolving Rifles & Shotguns [Re: Ash]
      #255733 - 26/10/14 08:32 PM

Colt 1855 Revolving Shotgun 20 gauge (.60 cal) with 27" barrel. The metal finish is patina and pitted throughout. It is mechanically sound and fully functional. Colt produced an estimated 1,100 shotguns from circa 1860-63. We estimate this gun's production circa 1861.

Serial Number: 367

Weight: 8 lbs 8 oz










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Ash
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Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1652
Loc: Australia
Re: Colt Revolving Rifles & Shotguns [Re: Ash]
      #255734 - 26/10/14 08:38 PM

"Colt Revolving Shotgun Model 1855 in .60 Caliber [16 Gauge] with 27" smoothbore barrel. This is a five shot percussion revolving shotgun with side hammer and brass trigger guard. Overall very nice functional original condition with aged patina without any significant pitting. Stock is solid. 13 3/4" LOP to a steel buttplate. Manufactured circa 1860 to 1868 with total production of approximately 1100 units with most being in .75 Caliber [10 Gauge]. These sold for $41 in 1867."

Serial # 479

This one is $8600

Appears to have some form of a rear sight?













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DarylS
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Re: Colt Revolving Rifles & Shotguns [Re: Ash]
      #255770 - 27/10/14 08:30 AM

Those who used them in the Indian Wars in Florida against the Seneca seemed to like them according to reports in the "Firearms of the American West", however those who had chain or ring fires and lost hands or parts of hands or fingers probably didn't like them so much.

They were too heavy not to put the left hand out in front, so a long sleeved gauntlets would be necessary to prevent cylinder/barrel flash form burning and cutting the forearm of the shooter.

Too, when out of order, they were complicated enough to have to be sent back to Colt for repair, much like the Lightning pump-action rifles of later years.

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Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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lancaster
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Re: Colt Revolving Rifles & Shotguns [Re: DarylS]
      #255789 - 27/10/14 03:37 PM

technical advanced the action was a century ahead of its time. the whole idea disappears for a long time but came to surface again and show the real potential first in the gatling than in the Mauser revolving canon and the electrical powered gatling gun. such things happen in gun history more than once when not all elements were on the table to make it happen.
none the less the colt revolving gun are fine make eye catchers in every collection today. the quality if compared with common factory rifles today rate them a "fine guns".

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Norwegian hunter misses moose, shoots man on toilet
.
bringing civilisation to the barbarians

Edited by lancaster (27/10/14 03:38 PM)


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lancaster
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Re: Colt Revolving Rifles & Shotguns [Re: lancaster]
      #255834 - 28/10/14 01:35 AM

if Colonel Colt had gone the step to breech loading cartridges a little bit earlier he had avoid the chain fire problem. here you have a revolving carbine by Lefaucheux in Paris Mod 1858











http://www.galeriedemars.fr/allfolks/CFA2007_frameset_UK.html
65 cm long barrel, shoot the long 12 mm Pinfire carbine cartridge

such revolving carbine had have some popularity in the 1860s
here is a Liege made copy in 10mm pinfire in the next Hermann Historica auction



http://www.hermann-historica.de/db2_de/onlinekatalogeneu/schusswaffenneu.html

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Norwegian hunter misses moose, shoots man on toilet
.
bringing civilisation to the barbarians

Edited by lancaster (28/10/14 03:20 PM)


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Ash
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Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1652
Loc: Australia
Re: Colt Revolving Rifles & Shotguns [Re: lancaster]
      #256634 - 12/11/14 06:47 PM

Would appear some of my photos are gone. Hmm..Drat.

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Ash
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Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1652
Loc: Australia
Re: Colt Revolving Rifles & Shotguns [Re: Ash]
      #256775 - 15/11/14 01:05 PM



Serial #: 25806

"This is an example of a very desirable Colt Model 1855 Military Rifle manufactured from 1856 to 1864 with a total production of approximately 9,310. This particular rifle has a Root-type side hammer, brass trigger guard, five-shot fluted cylinder, ratchet-type loading lever and three leaf rear sight with graduations for 100, 300 and 600 yards. The iron buttplate has a sliding trap for the cleaning rod extension (not included). The stock and full forearm are varnished black walnut with a brass forend tip and a sling swivel on the rear barrel band and on the lower stock tang. The barrel is of extra length, measuring 37 1/2 inches. The left side of the frame is marked "COLT'S PATENT" in a curve over "NOV. 24th, 1857". "56 CAL" is stamped on the left rear of the trigger guard bow. Cylinder has the 1850 patent date on one of the flutes and the top strap is marked "COL. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. The matching serial number is visible on the underside of the frame and on the lower tang. Front sight doubles as a bayonet lug. With an iron cleaning rod."

Interesting part:

"Fair as extensively repaired, mostly around the rewelded, repaired front top strap, barrel and several chambers of the cylinder due to the gun having once blown up . The metal surfaces have an artificial brownish gray patina with some signs of light cleaning and some flash pitting on the top strap. The trigger guard and forearm cap have a pleasant aged patina. The wood is remains fine with some scattered minor dings and dents and a couple of small gouges on the upper left rear of the forearm. The markings are clear. The action is fine.

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Ash
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Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1652
Loc: Australia
Re: Colt Revolving Rifles & Shotguns [Re: Ash]
      #256778 - 15/11/14 02:31 PM

Couple of other revolving rifles in the RIA auction.

"Scarce Warner Open Frame Revolving Carbine Marked 23

Serial #: 23
Manufacturer: James Warner
Model: Revolving
Type: Carbine
Gauge: 40
Barrel Length: 22 inch part octagon
Finish: blue
Grip: N/A
Stock: walnut




Description: Very few of these Warner retractable cylinder carbines survive. Most estimates place total production of this early variation at less than thirty. This example is marked "23" on the underside of the top strap and bottom of the barrel suggesting it was one of the last produced c. 1849. It has faint "JAMES WARNER/SPRINGFIELD MASS" markings on the right and "PATENT APPLIED FOR" on the left, and the cylinder features the correct floral/scroll etched designs. It has post front and notch rear sights and is fitted with a varnished walnut stock with brass patch box and crescent buttplate.

Condition: About good. The carbine has a deep brown patina with pitting, various nicks and scratches and a few marks. The wood is fine as revarnished with some minor pressure marks and scrapes. Mechanically fine with one nipple absent and partially obliterated markings. Nearly all surviving examples of the Warner carbines are found in heavily used condition. This is a well above average condition example of a very rare revolving carbine!





P.W. Porter First Model Revolving Turret Percussion Rifle

http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/63/lid/1125

Serial #: 25
Manufacturer: Porter P W
Model: Turret-Rifle
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 38
Barrel Length: 27 inch octagon
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grip: N/A
Stock: walnut








Description: Manufactured in the 1850s, this is an example of a First Model. Approximately 300 First Model rifles were produced and serial numbered 1 through approximately 300 with this example numbered 25. Marked "ADDRESS P.W. PORTER/NEW-YORK" and "P.W. PORTER'S/PATENT 1851" in two-line/two-blocks on the upper left barrel flat. The rifle has offset front and rear sights to allow for the turret which is in the normal line of sight and a rounded shaped primer cover that swivels downward for loading (note that First Models typically had square shaped primer covers with a rounded front edge, according to Flayderman's Guide). The included "U" shaped iron turret cover is rarely found with the gun. The serpentine shaped loading lever, which is a feature of the first models, included with this example. This example shows no provisions for the loading lever that was mounted on top of the barrel at the breech. Matching serial number on the inside of the frame, lever, turret iron cover, nine shot cylinder, barrel. Smooth straight grip stock with a crescent iron buttplate. The name "W.P. Morton" (who remains unidentified at the time of this writing) is nicely carved on the left side of the buttstock. The old story about Porter being killed while showing his invention to Samuel Colt has proven to be just that, a story. While the rifle, like almost any multiple shot percussion gun, was subject to multiple charges going off at the same time, the angle is such that the person firing the gun should get no worse than powder burns.
Condition: Very good. The barrel has a smooth dark patina. The remaining metal surfaces have a smooth gray patina. There is some minor pitting. The stock is fine with a number of pressure dents and scratches. Mechanically needs work as the cylinder does not rotate with cocked.





Smith & Wesson Model 320 Revolving Rifle with Scarce 20 Inch Barrel and Stock


Serial #: 417
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Model: Revolving-Rifle
Type: Revolver
Gauge: 320
Barrel Length: 20 inch solid rib
Finish: blue
Grip: hard rubber
Stock: N/A








Description: Manufactured from 1879 to 1887, the Model 320 revolving rifle is one of the rarest Smith & Wesson firearms manufactured produced with a total production of 977. These firearms were serialized from 1 to 977. The Model 320 was manufactured in three barrel lengths of 16, 18, and 20 inches with twenty being the rarest length, only 224 were manufactured by Smith & Wesson. The 20 inch barrel has a globe front sight and two leaf folding rear sight. The top of the barrel rib is marked with the two-line address/patent dates. The matching serial number appears on the butt, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch. Blue finish with casehardened trigger guard and hammer. The barrel is fitted with a checkered hard rubber red mottled forearm with the Smith & Wesson monogram on the underside. The grips are matching with Smith & Wesson monograms in a circle at the tops. The stock is smooth walnut with blue finished attaching iron and a checkered hard rubber buttplate with Smith & Wesson monogram. A factory peep sight is mounted on the stock attaching hardware.
Condition: Very good. The revolving rifle retains 10% original blue finish in and around the protected areas with the balance a smooth brown patina. Traces of original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The forearm and grips are excellent showing limited minor handling marks with overall crisp checkering. The stock is with a few very minor handling marks on the wood and 50% original high polished blue finish remaining on the attaching hardware. Mechanically excellent.

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