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LOT 3233
Patrick Smith of Buffalo, New York Marked Miller Patent/Billinghurst Type Revolving Pill-Lock
Rifle - NSN, 42 cal., 33 1/8 inch part octagon bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. These distinctive American
revolving rifles were manufactured c. 1835 to 1850 by several gunmakers based on the designs of John and James Miller,
and are commonly referred to as Billinghurst rifles as that was the most well known and prolific maker of them. The
cylinder functions through manual rotation by hand. The part octagon barrel
of this rifle is marked “P. SMITH/BUFFALO” on top and has a dovetailed
blade front sight and adjustable notch rear sight. Patrick Smith of
Buffalo, New York, was a gunmaker and retailer active between c. 1835-1881. His shop produced a wide variety of
muzzleloading firearms. Replacement ramrod mounted on the bottom of the barrel, walnut forend with classic pewter
cap and German silver wedge plates, and walnut buttstock with checkered wrist and iron furniture.
CONDITION: Good, with smooth gray and brown patina, scattered freckling and light pitting. Chipped absent edge
on the head of the wedge. Replacement ramrod guides, replacement ramrod. Wood is very good, with numerous
scattered dents and scratches, non-structural hairline cracks visible at the bottom front and left front half of the
forearm, and defined checkering and edges. Empty hole on top of the upper tang where a peep sight likely once
resided. The hammer does not remain in the cocked position, mechanically needs work.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3231
C. Miller Marked Miller Patent/Billinghurst Type Percussion Revolving Rifle - NSN, 40 cal., 28 5/8 inch part
octagon bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. These distinctive American revolving rifles were manufactured c. 1835 to
1850 by several gunmakers based on the designs of John and James Miller, and are commonly referred to as Billinghurst rifles as that was the
most well known and prolific maker of them. The cylinder functions through manual rotation by hand. Nearly all of the Miller revolving rifles
were made as pill-lock, and some were converted in the period to use percussion caps, like this example. The part octagon barrel is
marked “C. MILLER” on top and has a post front sight and buckhorn notch rear sight. The lock, hammer and frame have flourishes of
scroll pattern engraving. Ramrod mounted on the bottom of the barrel, walnut forend with classic pewter cap, and walnut buttstock
with brass furniture.
CONDITION: Fine, retains half of the faded original brown finish on the barrel and cylinder, with a mix of smooth gray and brown patina
on the casehardened lock, hammer and frame, scattered light surface freckling, and distinct engraving. One replacement percussion
nipple and a replacement blue finished rear ramrod guide. Wood is very good as revarnished, with some scattered light scratches, and
defined edges. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3232
Miller Patent/Billinghurst Type Pill-Lock Revolving Rifle
by Benjamin Bigelow of Marysville, California - NSN, 45 cal.,
32 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. These distinctive American
revolving rifles were manufactured c. 1835 to 1850 by several gunmakers based
on the designs of John and James Miller,
and are commonly referred to as Billinghurst
rifles as that was the most well known and
prolific maker of them. This rifle was manufactured by Benjamin Bigelow of Marysville, California. The cylinder functions through
manual rotation by hand. The octagon barrel has a dovetailed blade front sight and dovetailed buckhorn notch rear sight, and is
maker marked “B.BIGELOW. MARYSVILLE. CAL” on top. Ramrod mounted on the bottom of the barrel, walnut forend with classic
pewter cap, and walnut buttstock with iron furniture.
CONDITION: Good, with artificial brown patina visible on the replacement lockplate and hammer, some scattered patches of mild
oxidation and light pitting on the balance. Stock is good as re-oiled, with some scattered dents and scratches, a few minor small
chips around the lock, a few minor cracks at some of the edges, a few spliced repairs visible at the right rear of the forearm, and
defined edges. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
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