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  • Auction Catalog #48
  • Lot #1151
Lot #1150
Lot #1152

Lot 1151: Unique Leavitt Patent Revolving Rifle

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 4, 2009

Lot 1151: Unique Leavitt Patent Revolving Rifle

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 4, 2009

Estimated Price: $3,250 - $5,500

Unique Leavitt Patent Revolving Rifle

Manufacturer: Leavitt, Daniel
Model: Revolving
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 31
Barrel: 19 5/8 inch part octagon
Finish: blue
Grip: oak
Stock:
Item Views: 689
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 209
Class: Antique
Description:

Daniel Leavitt patented the convex cylinder face used on this revolving rifle 29 April, 1837, #182. The idea was that the beveled face of the cylinder would direct the flash from the fired chamber away from the adjacent chambers and prevent multiple discharges, which was a problem with early percussion revolvers. Note that this patent is only a year after Samuel Colts' seminal patent on the revolver and shows that others were working on revolvers even before Colt got his first revolvers to the market. The Leavitt patent convex cylinder face and beveled rear edge of the cylinder for the flash holes is almost identical to the pistols made by Mass. Arms Co. The barrel support, which attaches the barrel to the action, slips over the cylinder pin and is fastened by a screw to the top of the frame, and a pin through the cylinder pin. It has grooves on each side to deflect the bullets in case of multiple discharge. This piece is almost identical to the pistols and rifles made by James Warner and the Springfield Arms Co. The loading lever is also nearly identical in shape and function to the Springfield. The large single notch rear sight and German silver blade on a raised block front sight, as well as the engraved commercial lock plate and thin oak stock suggest rural New England manufacture, but there are no markings to verify this. The cylinder is released for turning by a button in front of the trigger guard. Again, this is almost identical to some revolvers made by Mass. Arms Co.

Rating Definition:

About good. Front end is good, but rear end is poor with the buttplate pitted and some loss to the wood. Missing the spring for the cylinder catch, and the front trigger spring. The spring for the rear trigger is fine. The set trigger needs adjustment.



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