This is a historic original all metal full scale functioning patent model of Corbin O. Wood's patent breech loading firearm, following U.S. patent number 30,372 dated October 9, 1860. It operates with a tip-up spring loaded barrel, which is released for loading at the breech by pressing the spring located on the left, which releases a detent catch and allows the barrel to automatically tip up at the rear. A lower extractor is automatically tripped upon opening and withdraws the lower edge of a cartridge and the rear sight is able to be pressed forward with the users thumb, and is integrally attached to an upper extractor that pulls on the upper edge of a spent cartridge to aid in ejection. "C.. O.. Wood.." is neatly inscribed in fancy script on the top flat of the barrel section. Attached is the original hang tag with the patent number, patentee name, description and date, and another attached tag reads "CERTIFIED TO BE THE ORIGINAL MODEL: #30,372 FROM: Mr. and Mrs. O. Rundle Gilbert's Collection of Original United States Patent Models 1790-1890 Garrison, N.Y." The Gilbert Collection housed thousands of original patent models such as this one, and all of the models were purchased at a bankruptcy sale in 1941, from the estate of Sir Henry Wellcome, who originally purchased them from the U.S. Government in 1925. Before the 1925 sale, curators from the Smithsonian were allowed to obtain any models they wanted, including many early firearms patent models, and this Corbin O. Wood metal patent model was clearly missed. Provenance: The Sir Henry Wellcome Collection; The Mr. and Mrs. Rundle Gilbert Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Very fine, exhibiting a mostly bright appearance on the iron with a few scattered patches of light pitting, and attractive bright patina on the bronze. Mechanically excellent.