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LOT 96
Finely Engraved J. & J. Miller Rochester Percussion Revolving Rifle
Dated 1836 with Gold and Silver Accents - NSN, 52 cal., 29 inch part octagon bbl., brown/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. James Millar patented this system in 1829, and brothers James and John
Millar (also commonly spelled Miller as seen on this rifle) manufactured them in Rochester, New York, in the 1830s. Nearly all
of the Miller revolving rifles were made as pill-lock, and some were converted in the period to use percussion caps. This rifle on the
other hand is an original Miller percussion revolving rifle given the different shape of the cylinder, the tiny percussion nipples, and the slot
on the top strap for clearance of the nipples. A small switch at the bottom releases the cylinder for manual rotation and then locks it into place. This
early version has the solid cap at the front of the cylinder rather than the design with holes or the later version without a cap. The
top flat on the barrel has the early style “J. & J. Miller. Rochester” marking in Gothic script and has a dovetailed notch rear sight. A
tiny silver blade front sight is fitted near the muzzle. The top strap is inscribed “PATENT”. The action components have floral, border, scroll, and burst engraving of very high quality. The back action lock has “1836” among the designs, a noteworthy year in revolving firearms history given Colt’s patent. The hammer has a bestial head design. The forearm has a horn cap and silver wedge escutcheons. The figured buttstock has a small blank gold initial escutcheon on the wrist, a crescent buttplate with burst and patriotic shield designs, and a toeplate with a stylized pineapple finial. The stock just to the rear of the trigger guard finial has a black marking that appears to be three characters. CONDITION: Very good with bright gold, light aged patina on the silver, mostly dark gray and brown patina on the iron overall, mild pitting
concentrated on and around the re-engraved cylinder (parallel lines are all recut), distinct markings on the metal, mostly crisp engraving, and generally mild overall wear. The re-oiled wood is fine and has a minor chip below the lock, a crack on the left side of the forearm, minor scrapes and dings, and attractive figure on the butt. Mechanically fine. This is a very attractive and rare early Miller revolving rifle.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 97
Very Scarce Nichols & Childs 1848 Patent Marked Percussion Revolving Rifle - Serial no. 6, 43 cal., 29 inch round bbl.,
bright finish, maple stock. This is an extremely rare example of the percussion revolving rifle design invented by Rufus Nichols
and Edward Childs of Conway, Massachusetts. Nichols and Childs were issued a patent for this rifle on April 24, 1838. The cylinder is rotated by an
external ratchet linked to the hammer. A lever on the left side of the frame locks the cylinder forward to create a gas seal with the breech end of the barrel. Experts estimate that only 100-150 of these rifles were manufactured. This rifle is a six-shot version without a loading lever. “6” is marked on the
cylinder, top strap, trigger plate, left side of the frame, and rear screw on the left side of the frame. We have previously sold another very similar example which we listed as number 6. Reading the number on this one in the same direction as the “1838” on the top of the frame would suggest the current
example is the number 6, or these may be batch/assembly numbers. The “1838” and “CHILDS” markings are somewhat crude and appear to have been added
in the period suggesting this rifle may have been produced before the patent had been granted and then marked before leaving the shop. It has a German silver
blade front sight, sporting style rear sight with adjustment screw, two-stage barrel with attractive “wedding band” at the transition, “1838” on the top strap at the breech, “NICHOLS & CHILDS/PATENT 1838/CONWAY/MASS.”
marked on the left side of the frame, and a very nicely figured birds-eye maple stock with a German silver patchbox and furniture as well as a spread wing eagle accent on the cheek piece and a standing buck at the butt. CONDITION: Very good with a mix of gray and brown patina on the iron along with some mild oxidation and pitting, attractive aged patina on the German silver fittings, and general mild wear. The stock is very good has very attractive figure, crazed varnish finish, and minor dings and scratches from handling and storage. The timing is slightly off, but the interesting action is otherwise mechanically fine. You can go a long time without an opportunity to acquire one of these rare American revolving rifles.
Provenance: The Dr. Louis C. March Jr. Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
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