Jennings single shot breech loading rifle manufactured by Robbins and Lawrence of Windsor, Vermont, c. 1850-1851. The Jennings breech loading rifle utilized components from the earlier experimental Jennings magazine rifle and features a distinctive ring trigger, loading door on the right side of the frame and automatic pill primer. The magazine tube beneath the barrel was converted to a holder for a wooden brass tipped cleaning rod. The rifle has a round 27 1/2 inch .55 caliber rifled barrel. Sling swivels are mounted on the barrel band and ahead of the trigger guard finial. The barrel has a brass pin front sight and fixed iron rear sight. The unique ring trigger has a long oval trigger guard. The walnut stock has a curved iron buttplate and a nickel silver patch box. The left side of the receiver is roll stamped "PATENT 1849/C.P. DIXON AGENT/NEW YORK". The sides and top of the receiver, upper tang and buttplate heel are factory engraved with open scrollwork and punch dot borders. The patch box has delicately engraved line borders and open scrollwork designs. The Jennings rifle was a successor to the Hunt rifle and is considered to be a key piece in the development of the Winchester rifle. B. Tyler Henry was the foreman at Robbins & Lawrence and played a major role in development of the tubular magazine and self-contained cartridge used on the first Jennings rifles and subsequently perfected on the Henry and Model 1866 Winchester rifles. Development of the Jennings breech loading rifle combined the talents of B. Tyler Henry, Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson and was an important step in the development of the Henry and Winchester lever action magazine repeating rifles and self-contained cartridges.

Very good. The barrel, cleaning rod tube, receiver, hammer, trigger guard and buttplate have an even silver gray patina. The barrel and top of the receiver have very light pitting. The buttplate has a dark patina with heavier pitting. The patent markings on the left side of the receiver and the engraving on the receiver, upper tang, hammer and buttplate are sharp. The nickel silver patch box is very good with crisp engraving and minimal handling wear. The rear sight is broken. The stock is good with minor dents, scratches and an old chip in the comb in front of the buttplate. This is a good example of a scarce and an historically important Jennings breech loading Rifle. The Jennings rifle was an important step in the evolution of the Winchester lever action rifle and would be a key piece in any advanced collection of Winchester rifles.