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LOT 1004
Very Scarce Factory Engraved Robbins & Lawrence Second Model Smith-Jennings Repeating Rifle - Serial no. 10H, 54 cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The Smith-Jennings
was an improvement on the Jennings design patented by Horace Smith of Smith & Wesson fame in 1851 and was manufactured
by Robbins & Lawrence who were also manufacturing other innovative firearms in
the period, including the Sharps rifles. Though very short lived thanks to the underpowered “Rocket Ball” ammunition and complicated mechanism, the Smith-Jennings
rifles are important in the evolution of Winchester lever actions. Their design and production brought together the talents of Benjamin
Tyler Henry, Horace Smith, Daniel B. Wesson, and others and were part of a series of design improvements that led to the Smith & Wesson and Volcanic lever
action pistols and carbines and then the Henry and Winchester Model 1866 through a series of incremental improvements. This rifle is
the second variation or “Second Model” of the Smith-Jennings, also known as the “pregnant frame Jennings” in reference to the
bulge at the bottom of the frame. Only an estimated 400 Second Models are believed to have been manufactured c. 1851-1852.
It has a small blade front sight, dovetailed notch rear sight just ahead of the serial number “10 H” and breech ring, a tubular
magazine below the barrel with matching “10 H” cap, automatic pellet primer on top of the frame, light scroll engraving, the
“PATENT 1849/C.P. DIXON AGENT/NEW YORK” marking on the left, “H/10” on the bottom of the frame, “0” marked on the ring
trigger, and a walnut buttstock with an iron buttplate with stepped heel and an oval nickel-silver inlay with coordinating engraving on the right.
CONDITION: Very good with mottled gray and brown patina, distinct markings and engraving, bright niter blue on the primer lid, and generally mild overall wear, including some patches of pitting. The stock is fine and has some light scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. Overall, this is a very solid and attractive example of a rare and historically significant early repeating rifle.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1005
Scarce Factory Engraved Robbins & Lawrence Jennings Muzzleloading Percussion Rifle - Serial no. 70, 54 cal., 26 inch bbl.,
brown finish, walnut stock. This was manufactured in 1852 by Robbins and Lawrence in Windsor, Vermont. The Jennings muzzleloading rifles were manufactured using modified components from the unsuccessful Jennings breechloading rifles. The rifle
has a 26 inch round barrel with 22 inch steel ramrod tube that contains a hickory ramrod with brass tip. The modified breechloading receiver is fitted with a percussion
Jennings muzzle-loading rifle
nipple and flat-sided, gooseneck percussion hammer. The breechloading ring trigger has been altered to a spur trigger and the trigger
guard re-formed to an indented bow. The barrel is fitted with a small nickel-silver front sight blade and small v-shaped rear sight on a dovetail mounted base. The rifle has a
straight grain walnut stock with crescent iron buttplate and an oval, decorative German silver inlay on the right side. An engraved oval on the left side of
the receiver is stamped: “PATENT 1849/C.P. DIXON AGENT/NEW YORK” in three lines. The serial number is stamped on the barrel
breech, trigger guard and lower tang. The top and sides of the receiver, the hammer, bottom of the trigger guard, buttplate heel
and oval silver inlay are decorated with simple floral style factory engraving. The barrel is browned, and the receiver, trigger
guard and lever are color casehardened. The stock is oil finished. The Jennings muzzleloading rifle and predecessor Jennings
breechloading rifles are important in the evolution of the Winchester lever action rifles. Benjamin Tyler Henry was the foreman
of the Robbins & Lawrence Arms Company. The breechloading rifles utilized the Hunt “Rocket Ball” cartridge which evolved into the Volcanic “Rocket Ball”.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrel retains traces of the faded brown finish with smooth surfaces. The case colors on the receiver have faded to a mottled silver-gray. The hammer has a deep brown patina. The hammer, percussion nipple and adjacent portions appear to be un-fired. The simple factory engraving and the stamped markings on the left side of the receiver are crisp. The buttplate has a dark brown patina with light pitting. The stock has been refinished and repaired on both sides of the wrist with dowel pins visible and is in good overall condition otherwise with scattered light handling marks. This is a very good example of a rare and historically significant Jennings muzzleloading rifle that would be a key addition to any advanced collection of Volcanic, Henry, or Winchester rifles.
Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection; The Collection of David L. DeLullo.
4 Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500