John Wurfflein (1815-1884) was a talented gunmaker working in Philadelphia c. 1844-1864. This exact rifle is shown and discussed in the article "'Reverse Trapdoor' Musket Conversions" by Edward Hull in the American Society of Arms Collector's bulletin from June 2022. It is based on a patent by William Wheeler Hubbell (1821-1902) of Philadelphia from July 1, 1844. Hubbell also patented improvements in artillery shells, a conversion method for surplus Civil War rifle-muskets, other related designs, and was a patent attorney. The rifled barrel has a shotgun style bead front sight and is marked "J WURFFLEIN PHILADA" on top. The back action lock has the same marking. The breechblock has "Wm. W. Hubbell's/Patent July 1st, 1844." marked on top. With the hammer at half-cock, the small lever ahead of it can be drawn back to allow the breechblock to rotate up and to the left for reloading, much like the Tabatiere and Snider conversions of the late 19th century. The nipple is threaded into the breechblock. A grip handle is fitted to the bar that extends under the barrel. The buttstock has a checkered wrist and a shotgun style buttplate. Provenance: The Mark Aziz Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Very good with mottled gray and brown patina overall, some light twist patterns visible along the barrel, patches of mild oxidation/pitting, and general mild overall wear. There is a crack visible under the breechblock handle. The buttplate is poor and is heavily corroded. The wood is also very good and has crisp checkering, some faint hairline cracks, some dings and dents, and mild damage at the butt. Mechanically fine. These rifles were clearly not manufactured in much quantity at all, making this survivor an extremely rare example of an innovative breechloading design ahead of its time.