“EXTREMELY RARE” SILVERED BRASS FRAME ALLEN AND WHEELOCK DROP-BREECH RIMFIRE RIFLE

$3,250.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 172-6030

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To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
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Also known as the Allen Drop Breech, these breech-loading rimfire rifles were produced in limited numbers at Worcester, MA, from 1860 to 1871. Flayderman estimates them at 1,500 to 2,000 all told, but this one appears to be numbered 2359 on the triggerguard tang, pushing the total a bit higher. It is in very good condition overall and also has a very rare brass receiver retaining much of its original silver finish in addition to loads of barrel blue and case color on the hammer and breechblock.

This has very pleasing brown wood stocks, fitted with a bright nose cap, with a rear sling swivel mounted in the buttstock and forward swivel on a bright barrel band. The wood to metal fit is tight. The wood has a good surface and finish with few handling marks. The barrel is 24-inches long, part octagon-part round, in good, large .42 Caliber, showing smooth metal and 90 percent or better blue, with both sights in place, complete, and also showing blue. The top barrel flat is clearly stamped between the breech and rear sight: “ALLEN & CO WORCESTER MASS / ALLEN’S PAT SEP. 18. 1860.” with the last “S” of MASS a bit light.

For loading the triggerguard with release catch acts as a lever to lower the breechblock fitted with a firing pin. The action is perfect and the bore is minty. The top, sides and bottom of the breechblock, and the hammer, show nice mottled blues of case color. The triggerguard tangs show some rubbing. The receiver shows a good deal of silver. On the left it is strong on the lower portion, with a little gray spotting forward, and freckled on the upper edges on the forward and rear sections. On the right it is rubbed along the rear arch next to the hammer, showing a narrow section of darkened brass along the edge, and showing light freckling on the remainder with some slight rubbing on the edges of the top next to the barrel. Nevertheless, this is a good looking example of an interesting rifle that despite the small number made comes in several different calibers (from .22 to .44,) with variations in rear sights, and in designs for take down, etc., with Flayderman noting the brass frame variant is “extremely rare and worth substantial premium.”  [sr][ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

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