Allen & Wheelock Drop Breech Rifle with Patent Adjustable Rear Sight

.40 caliber bore (.42RF). 24" octagon to round barrel. SN: 95. Blued finish, steel furniture, varnished hardwood stock with crescent buttplate and smooth forend. Single shot dropping breech cartridge rifle with action operated by lowering the triggerguard which drops the breech and also activates the extractor system. Mounted with an Allen's patent elevation adjustable rear sight and a dovetailed blade front sight, trapdoor in butt for takedown tool, which is not present. Top of barrel marked in two lines: ALLEN & WHEELOCK/ALLEN'S PATENT SEPT. 18, 1860. These handy single shot rifles were produced circa 1860s to the early 1870s with between 1,500 and 2,000 produced in two frame sizes and four calibers. The smaller frame rifles were made in Allen's proprietary .35 and .38 rimfire chambering, with the larger framed rifles like this one produced in .42 and .44 rimfire. A "military" version with sling swivels was produced as well, although any Civil War use was either by individual or state purchase rather than any Ordnance Department contracts. A scarce and attractive single shot cartridge rifle from the Civil War era. {ANTIQUE}

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

About Very Good. Bore very good, moderately oxidized with patches of brightness and good rifling. Barrel with faded and thinned minor traces of blue, mostly turned to plum with an attractive patina and some scattered minor surface roughness. Frame with a mottled brownish gray patina. Markings remain clear. Mechanically functional action. Stock with some wear, retaining some of the varnish and showing scattered bumps, dings, mars and scuffs.

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Arms, Armor & Militaria

Allen & Wheelock Drop Breech Rifle with Patent Adjustable Rear Sight

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