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LOT 90
Scarce Fine Engraved J. & J.
Miller Revolving Pill Lock Rifle - NSN,
44 cal., 27 3/4 inch part octagon bbl., brown/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. Manufactured from 1835 to 1850, these revolving rifles were
commonly called Billinghurst rifles because William Billinghurst of Rochester, New
York, was the most prolific and well-known maker of the rifles. At least 15 gunsmiths made
revolving rifles under the Miller patent, and it is estimated that only a few hundred were produced. With over a dozen known makers, surviving examples of revolving rifles using the Miller patent show a
variety of variations including varying calibers, barrel lengths, barrel styles and number of cylinder chambers.
Each is a unique glimpse into mid-19th century craftsmanship and design. However, this rifle follows the basic pattern of the Miller patent and has the distinctive front latch on the cylinder. This example has the J.&J. Miller markings. The rifle operates with pill lock ignition. Very tiny pills containing the fulminate are retained in small receptacles in the cylinder by use of bees wax. The pill lock, or pellet lock, was patented by renowned London gunsmith Joseph Manton in the early 19th century. The seven shot cylinder is rotated manually by
releasing the latch located in front of the cylinder on the bottom of the barrel lug. James Miller patented this system in 1829. This is one of the earliest revolving firearm patents and pre-dates the automatic cocking and locking system that Colt patented in 1836. The cylinder is serrated for an
easier grip, and the chambers are numbered 1-7. The top barrel flat is marked “J. & J. Miller. Rochester.” in Gothic lettering. The lock plate is marked “J. & J. MILLER.” The lock plate, rear frame section, trigger guard and buttplate feature fine floral engraved motifs incorporating leaves, blossoms and borders. The upper buttplate tang also features an engraved panoply of arms around the screw head while the lower buttplate tang has an ornate floral engraved finial. It has a set trigger, and the barrel is equipped with fixed sights and solid under rib carrying a wooden ramrod. The cylinder and barrel are brown, and the remaining surfaces appear to have been casehardened. Mounted with a highly figured straight grip stock featuring gold thumb and barrel wedge escutcheons, horn forend tip and crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel and cylinder retain 70% thinned original brown finish. The remaining metal surfaces have mixture of smooth brown and gray patinas with traces of original case colors in the protected areas. The ramrod is short. The engraving and markings are crisp. The stock is excellent showing some minor handling marks and retaining most of the varnish. The firing pin section of the hammer is absent, otherwise mechanically excellent. A fine example of a rarely encountered revolving rifle that will fill a gap in the most advanced antique American rifle collections.
Provenance: The Robert M. Lee Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 10,000 - 18,000
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LOT 91
Attractive Engraved
Billinghurst Percussion Revolving
Half-Stock Sporting Rifle - NSN, 41 cal., 27 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. William Billinghurst of Rochester, New York, was
one of the most famous firearms makers of his day and is particularly well-known for his
revolving rifles based on the Miller patent. Rather than percussion caps, small “pills” containing the
fulminate are retained in the circular holes at the rear of the cylinder. This example is built similar to a classic
half-stock muzzleloading rifle and has an octagon barrel marked: “W. BILLINGHURST ROCHESTER. N.Y.” on top and fitted with a nickel-silver blade front sight and a dovetailed notch rear sight. The manually revolved, seven-shot cylinder has serrations for grip. The back action lock, breech, tangs, and furniture have light engraving.
CONDITION: Fine. The rifle retains 60% plus of the original blue on the barrel with some fading mostly on the breech. There are also strong patterns of muted original case colors. The engraving remains crisp. Aside from a chip at the toe and a pinned hairline crack above the lock,
the stock is also fine and has some light scratches and dings and strong varnish finish. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Mark Aziz Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000