Dr. Edward Maynard (1813-1891) was both a brilliant dentist and a gifted inventor. Born in Madison, New York, Maynard entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, but was later forced to resign due to poor health. Prior to the Mexican War, Maynard invented a mechanical priming system for use with percussion arms which was intended to replace the copper primers that had been used almost since the invention of this ignition system.

Perhaps Maynard's most significant firearms invention was his tip-up single-shot metallic-cartridge breech loading rifle, which he patented in 1851. The Maynard First Model carbine was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1856, which sparked the formation of the Maynard Arms Corporation during the following year. The Massachusetts Arms Company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, later undertook the manufacture of the Maynard rifles and carbines.

The Massachusetts Arms Company continued to produce Maynard rifles until 1890. These arms set a standard in both target and hunting activities in the United States. They proved to be extremely accurate, were well-fitted, and featured interchangeable parts. Maynard rifles were available in a variety of grades ranging from an inexpensive to very fancy and ranged in caliber from .22 to .50. This proved to be a selling point, and customers were advised that, "You need not have several guns since you can buy interchangeable barrels for your Maynard action."

This particular model is the 1873, “Improved Hunting or Target Rifle No. 9.” This looks much like the .35 caliber 1^st Model Civil War-era carbine except for a much larger gap at the breech and being centerfire instead of percussion. Serial number 9135 is clearly stamped on the trigger plate tang. The frame is marked on the right side, “MANUFACTURED BY / MASS. ARMS CO. / CHICOPEE FALLS” and the left side “EDWARD MAYNARD / PATENTEE / MAY 27, 1851 / DEC 6,1859 / 1873”. Barrel is 26” long and retains much of its original bluing, as does the hammer and trigger. Bore is a little dirty with strong rifling; .35 caliber. Open sights on barrel along with a flip-up peep sight. Mechanics are all in perfect working order. Walnut stock is good; no cartouches; a few dings and dents.

A very nice example.   [jet]  [ph:L]

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