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LOT 89
Exceptional and Rare Massachusetts Arms Co. Wesson & Leavitt Patent Percussion Revolving Rifle - Serial no. 16, 40 cal., 24 3/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Per Flayderman’s Guide, the total of these rifles manufactured is estimated to be “less than 50 and very probably less than 20.”The number that survive is fewer still, and the number that survive in this high level of condition could probably be counted on one hand with fingers to spare. It is essentially the same as the Wesson & Leavitt Dragoon revolvers manufactured by the Massachusetts Arms Co. at the beginning of the 1850s but with a rifle length barrel and an integral buttstock as part of the grip. The pistol grip stock is carved in a way that makes the butt look like it is detachable, but it is one piece, and it is fitted with a steel buttplate. The two-stage, rifled barrel has a brass blade front sight. The top strap has “MASS. ARMS CO./CHICOPEE FALLS.”“NOV. 26 1850” is marked on the barrel latch. The lug/barb is numbered “56” on the back, and “56” is also on the front face of the cylinder pin. The face of the recoil shield is numbered “16.” The Leavitt pattern marking is on the rear face of the cylinder, and the Wesson patent marking is on the rotating plate. The lock is marked “WESSON’S & LEAVITT’S PATENT.” CONDITION: Exceptionally fine overall with 60% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish remaining on the barrel with finish loss mainly confined to the left side and some fading on the breech section overall. The latch and top strap retain 75% plus of the original bright, high polish blue finish. The cylinder has traces of original finish and mostly displays a smooth brown patina. The lock and frame retain 50% of the original casehardened finish with particularly bright original case colors in the protected areas and mostly smooth dark gray patina where the colors have faded from age. The brass trigger guard retains half of the original gilt finish. The buttplate has mottled gray and brown patina and mild oxidation. The pistol grip stock is very fine and has very faint evidence of a repaired crack at the junction of the stock and grip, minor flaking and edge wear around the lockplate, and some light scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. This may very well be the finest Massachusetts Arms Co. Wesson & Leavitt Patent Revolving Rifle extant today and is a very attractive example of a scarce revolving rifle design from the antebellum era. Had Samuel Colt not received his patent extension, this design would have been real competition for his Model 1855 revolving rifles and carbines. Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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