Only a small number of these revolving rifles were reportedly manufactured between 1840 to the early 1850s based on similar designs as the Springfield Arms Co.'s revolving handguns. This particular example is the automatically revolving version with a brass top strap/breech frame. Fewer than 25 of this variation are estimated to have been manufactured, and this is certainly one of the finest examples. Like the Warner revolvers, production was limited thanks to Samuel Colt receiving an extension of his revolver patent. It has a browned octagon barrel with a dovetail mounted blade front sight, a notch rear sight on the top strap, and a casehardened loading lever. The blued cylinder has etched scroll and classical martial patterns and is the same as the Wesson & Leavitt revolver designs. Silver plated top strap with "SPRINGFIELD ARMS CO." marked on top in a border, with scroll and border pattern engraving, and marked with number "20" on the underside. The silver plated action has a detachable side lock, with floral scroll and border pattern engraving, and the number "33" is marked on the inside of the lock and on the frame under the lock. The stock has a silver plated patchbox engraved with an upside down rabbit scene and border pattern engraving and a crescent buttplate with floral scroll and border pattern engraving. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Very good plus, with traces of original brown finish on the barrel, 60% of the original silver plating remaining on the frame and components with scattered flaking and some areas with a tarnished appearance, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance of the exposed iron, scattered patches of light oxidation/pitting, and defined engraving. Stock is very good as sanded and revarnished, with a spliced replacement section visible on the right of the wrist, some scattered light dents and scratches, and some areas of discoloration. Mechanically fine.