Manufactured by Swinburn & Son in 1862, this double barrel percussion rifle was invented by General John Jacob. An officer of the British East India Company, Jacob commanded a cavalry regiment called the 36th Jacob's Horse and founded the town Jacobabad in 1847 (now a city in Pakistan). The rifle he invented fired an explosive shell designed to explode ammunition carts at long distances. The rifle is sighted to 2,000 yards. The explosive loads that the rifle once fired were marketed for use against large thick skinned game (i.e., rhinos and elephants) and references to the gun being used in the American Civil War have been made. In fact, the American surplus dealer Francis Bannerman listed these rifles as elephant rifles. The lock plates are marked "SWINBURN & SON/PATENT/1862" and the iron patch box located on the right side of the buttstock is marked "JACOB'S RIFLES." The patch box marking referred to a proposed regiment called Jacob's Rifles that Jacob intended to raise. It was proposed that 900 of the 1,000 men of the regiment would carry the rifle that bore the commander's name. However, Jacob died before the contract was finished. Although Swinburn & Son finished the contract after Jacob's death, the rifles were released to the civilian market. As stated, the rifle has a ladder rear sight graduated to 2,000 yards. Behind the ladder sight is a three leaf express sight graduated 1 through 3. The front sight is a beaded blade. Mounted on a smooth straight grip half-stock with a flat iron buttplate. The rifle has two sling swivels and a single barrel band. Included with this unique rifle is a brass tipped wooden ramrod with worm attachment.

Fine. The barrels retains 40% of original blue finish with a crisp smooth brown patina on the balance. The remaining metal surfaces have a dark mottled patina. Some minor pitting is present (mostly on the barrels). The stock is very fine with some minor pressure dents and scratches. Mechanically fine. A very nice example of a very rare and unique double barrel percussion rifle invented by a British general.