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LOT 1207
Extremely Rare Documented Engraved E.H. Collier Rifled Flintlock Revolving Pistol-
Carbine with Detachable Stock - Serial no. 138, 28 bore cal., 27 3/4 inch solid rib bbl.,
brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Elisha Haydon Collier (1788-1856) of Boston,
Massachusetts, is a pivotal figure in the development of revolving firearms. He patented
an improvement of Captain Artemus Wheeler’s American patented design in England in
1818, and Collier received UK patent no. 4315. The Collier revolver is the first commercially
produced revolving firearm design and helped pave the way for Samuel Colt’s famous
percussion revolvers patented in the UK in 1835. The Collier flintlocks are especially
desirable, and this example is especially rare as it features a rifled barrel and detachable
buttstock. Only a few pistol-carbines are believed to have been produced. It is featured
on page 477 of the new book “Clockwork Basilisk: The Early Revolvers of Elisha Collier &
Artemas Wheeler” by Ben Nicholson. It is listed as sold by Sotheby’s in 1969 and by Norm
Flayderman in 1971. The cylinder shield and stock were noted as missing. The carbine
is referenced on page 15 of “Collier & His Revolvers” by Clay P. Bedford in the American
Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin in 1971 as the “highest number Second Model flintlock”
Collier. It was manufactured fairly late in production, likely in the early 1820s. The rifled
Damascus barrel has a concave solid rib signed “E. H. Collier 138 London” in script and fitted
with a bead front sight and dovetailed notch rear sight. The top strap, lock, and mounts
are engraved with scroll, foliate, and martial designs. The flat lock plate is signed “E.H.
Collier/138 PATENT”. The frizzen includes a powder magazine that automatically primes the
pan and is marked “E. H. COLLIER/138 PATENT” on the right. The pistol grip stock has a silver
star inlaid on the left that is engraved with a floral bloom at center and radiating lines. The
pistol grip stock wrist and the wrist of the skeleton buttstock are checkered and have silver
escutcheons. The buttstock also has a trigger release and swivel.
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