William Billinghurst (1807-1880) of Rochester, New York, was one of the most famous firearms makers of his day, producing revolving rifles, shotguns, and a few over/under combination shotgun/rifles like this, in both pill lock and percussion. The cylinder is manually rotated by releasing a latch mounted on the bottom of the barrels ahead of the cylinder. The barrel has a small blade front sight and a notch rear sight and is signed "W. BILLINGHURST, ROCHESTER,N.Y." on top at the breech. The seven-shot cylinder is finely serrated for easier grip. The niter blue finished hammer has scroll and border engraving. The smooth walnut straight grip stock has a checkered wrist and smooth steel buttplate. Wooden ramrods mounted on both sides of the barrels. Front trigger for the upper hammer, rear trigger for the bottom hammer. 27 1/4 inch round rifled upper barrel measuring at approximately .46 caliber, 30 1/2 inch centrally located 12 gauge smoothbore shotgun barrel that the cylinder revolves around, similar to the LeMat revolvers of the time. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Very good with smooth brown patina, half of the niter blue finish remaining on the hammer, some scattered light freckling and wear. Stock is good as sanded and re-oiled, with a reattached cracked section visible on the left of the wrist, and scattered scratches and dents. The front of the trigger guard is detached from the the bottom of the frame. Mechanically needs work, as the cylinder is nearly seized (requires lots of force to rotate), otherwise the hammers function.