This is a very rare example of a Blake Repeating Rifle manufactured by J.H. Blake, New York approximately mid 1890's. There is very little information on these rifles, however it has been established that samples of these rifles were submitted to the U.S. Ordnance dept for the rifle trials of 1893, with a very limited number actually manufactured. It was designed with a unique seven round rotary magazine which is inserted from the bottom of the receiver. The bottom of the receiver has a hinged door which allows access to the magazine. After military trials the Blake system was deemed unsuitable for military service, losing out to the Krag rifle. The left side of the receiver has a lever that can be switched from "SINGLE" to "RAPID" firing. The front sight is fixed with a ivory bead and the rear sight is an adjustable military type graduated to 1,800 yards. All blue finish with a bright bolt assembly. It has a very nice checkered pistol grip stock with a full length forearm and short hand guard. It is fitted with three barrel bands, with the top one fitted with a bayonet lug. It is complete with the original steel cleaning rod and a Remington Arms marked bayonet, metal scabbard and leather frog. It is serial numbered (223) on the lower tang and on the underside of the bolt and bolt handle, with no other markings or proofs.
Extremely fine overall with 75% plus of the original blue finish remaining on the barrel and in the protected areas with the receiver, hinged magazine, trigger guard and lower tang having all browned out. The stock and forend are both in excellent condition with their nice original medium brown oil finish with minor handling marks in a few places. There is a short age/stress crack on the left underside area of the forend, directly in front of the receiver. The checkering is nice and distinct with some light wear across the tops of the checkering.
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