William Billinghurst of Rochester, New York, was one of the most famous firearms makers of his day. Billinghurst produced pill lock and percussion revolving rifles on the Miller patent. This particular rifle is a pill lock. Very tiny pills containing the fulminate are retained in small receptacles in the cylinder by use of bees wax. The seven shot cylinder is rotated manually by releasing the latch located in front of the finely serrated cylinder, which was done so for an easier grip. German silver post front sight and fixed notch rear sight on a part octagon barrel marked "W. BILLINGHURST" at the breech end. The casehardened lock, upper tang and hammer are floral scroll engraved. Mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a pewter end cap, single barrel wedge, and a brass spacer at the frame, brass scroll type trigger guard and crescent buttplate. Complete with a wooden ramrod. At least 15 gunsmiths made the revolving rifle under the Miller patent and it's estimated that only a few hundred were produced.

Very good plus. The barrel and cylinder have a crisp smooth natural dark brown patina, with traces of original case colors remaining on the lock plate, hammer and upper tang, with a dark and gray patina on the balance, with some scattered minor spotting. The brass has a natural aged patina, with numerous minor dings on the front of the trigger guard. With the exception of a moderate chip missing just above the barrel wedge. The wood is fine with some overall scattered minor dings and scratches and a couple hairline stress cracks near the buttplate. The barrel markings are clear and crisp. Mechanically fine.