Page 183 - 87-BOOK1

LOT 212
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE WILLIAM M. LOCKE COLLECTION BY SELLERS
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 213 Rare Experimental Prototype Joslyn-Tomes Breech Loading Trial Carbine - Serial no. 2,
Unique Documented Henry Gross Patent Prototype Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine
with Maynard Tape Primer - NSN, 52 cal., 19 7/8 inch part
octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, highly figured walnut stock. This likely one-
off prototype breech loading percussion saddle ring carbine was invented by Henry Gross
and covered under U.S. patent number 15,072 originally granted June 10th, 1856. It is fitted with a
Civil War era Gwyn & Campbell carbine barrel, with ladder rear sight graduated to 600 yards with a 700 yard
notch at the top, Edward Maynard’s patented tape primer mechanism is located on the lock with “U.S.A.” and an eagle and shield engraved on the primer door, a hammer that somewhat resembles a U.S. Springfield Model 1855/1861
rifle-musket, and is mounted in a walnut forend and buttstock with brass buttplate. The trigger guard breech lever latches at the rear with a trigger. Upon lowering the lever, the gas sealing breech block slides backward a tenth of an inch prior to tilting upwards for loading. “4379” and “A&CO” marked on the bottom of the barrel at the breech, and “PT” and “R” marked on the left breech flat of the barrel. This exact Gross patent carbine is pictured on page 490 of “The William M. Locke Collection” book in which it states, “These carbines were made for the trials of 1865. Gross also invented the Gwyn & Campbell carbine. The barrel on this carbine appears to be from one
of those.”
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% period applied blue finish on the barrel, with mostly smooth gray patina on the frame with traces of case colors visible on the lock and in protected areas on the breech block, with some scattered areas of light pitting. Wood is also fine with some scattered light scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The William M. Locke Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 22 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This rare breech loading carbine is the invention of Benjamin F. Joslyn of Stonington,
Connecticut, covered under U.S. patent number 109,218 dated November 15th, 1870. Joslyn entered this design in the 1872 “Terry Board” Army trials in the search for selection of a standard issue breech loading military rifle (listed as “Joslyn-Tomes, No. 40” in the official 1873 Report of the Chief of Ordnance). Joslyn had some success with his earlier designs, including government purchased carbines and rifles of a different design than what is offered here, and revolvers. The cylindrical breechblock of this rifle has a vertical hammer in the center at the top. When the hammer is pulled by hand, it pivots its front end upwards and out of engagement with a hole in the bottom of the frame, unlocking the bolt and allowing it to be drawn rearwards for extraction, allowing insertion of a new cartridge when pulled all the way back. When the bolt is pushed forward, the locking lug lines up with the recess in the frame. When the trigger is pulled, the locking lug falls into the recess, hitting the firing pin at the same time it locks. The sights are mounted on iron blocks offset to the left of the centerline of the barrel so they can be seen despite the obstruction caused by the hammer. Although a gun of this design was entered in the 1872 “Terry Board” Army breech loading rifle trials, like all but one of its one hundred competitors, it did not fare well; after vigorous trials the Army ended up officially adopting what we know of today as the U.S. Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor rifle. This carbine is marked “JOSLYN, TOMES GUN/B.F.JOSLYNs PATENT/No (illegible)1870” in three lines on top of the breech block, a very small “2” is visible on the bottom surface of the receiver behind the chamber (requires pulling the bolt back to view), and a “crown/9” proof is stamped on top of the rear sight base. CONDITION: Fine with bright surfaces, a few scattered areas of light pitting, and sharp markings and edges in the metal. Stock is also fine with a few moderate dents and small chips, a pin-sized hole in the left of the buttstock likely from a display plaque, numerous light lines in the buttstock from display, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 8,500 181