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LOT 176
Rare Factory Exhibition Engraved, Silver Mounted, Cochran Patent
Underhammer Revolving Turret Percussion Rifle - NSN, 38 cal., 24 3/4
inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Cochran
turret rifles were primarily manufactured by Cyrus B. Allen in Springfield,
Massachusetts in the mid to late 1830s, with this well made example not
bearing any manufacturer markings. It shows features of both the typical
“Second Type” and “Third Type” Cochran rifles referenced in Flayderman’s Guide
(9th Edition Flayderman’s Guide, 15-002 and 15-003), and has an enclosed
trigger guard and a hammer that are both identical in shape to the Daniels
patent revolving rifles subsequently manufactured by C.B. Allen, a hammer
that engages the trigger at the front, and a 7-shot revolving turret cylinder. It
features high quality floral scroll, border and animal panel scene engraving on
the German silver patchbox and cheekpiece, scroll engraving on the top strap,
frame, hammer and German silver fittings. The rifled barrel has a dovetailed
German silver blade front sight and dovetailed notch rear sight. The hinged top
strap is marked “COCHRANs/PATENT” in an oval border. Writer has never seen a
Cochran Turret rifle even remotely approach the high level of engraving, silver
inlaid mounting, or highly attractive design. The fact that is unserialized in and
of itself is significant.
CONDITION: Very good, with mostly brown patina, applied blue casehardening
showing on the frame, top strap and hammer, with some scattered patches of
mild oxidation, and a few patches of light pitting. Wood is also very good, with
some scattered light scratches and dents, some slight warping in the forearm,
a small crack visible on top behind the top strap latch base, and small cracks at
either side of the toe. Mechanically fine. This extraordinary exhibition engraved
and silver mounted Cochran Turret rifle is possible the finest example extant!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
Similar engraving shown
in L.D. Nimschke Firearms
Engraver by Wilson
176