George P. Foster of Taunton, Massachusetts, manufactured these Porter patent turret rifles in the 1850s, showcasing a number of impressive features. They are in essence lever action revolving rifles featuring vertically oriented turrets. This example has a spurious added rectangular bordered script "BH" inspection stamp on the left stock wrist and a spurious added rectangular bordered bold font "U.S." stamp located on the bottom of the buttstock. It exhibits some "Third Model" features of Parry W. Porter's distinctive turret rifles in that it has percussion nipples on the cylinder and an angular side hammer, reportedly seen in the 680-1225 serial number range (per 9th Edition Flayderman's Guide, 15-017). It differs from Flayderman's definition of a "Third Model" in that it has a filled in slot where a previous loading lever likely once resided. Features blade and adjustable notch sights offset to the left to clear the turret, three-line address and patent markings "ADDRESS/P.W. PORTER/NEW-YORK" and "P.W.PORTER'S/PATENT./1851." on the upper left barrel flat, matching serial number "780" marked on various components including the removable cylinder, and a smooth straight wrist buttstock. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Good with mostly artificial brown patina, some patches of mild oxidation and light pitting, replacement release button behind the lever catch, and an added hook section on the side hammer. Stock is also very good, with numerous scattered dents and scratches, and added inspection markings noted above. Absent pin at the breech. Mechanically fine.