An estimated 10,000-12,000 Bullard repeating rifles and carbines were manufactured between 1886 and 1890 in numerous variations. They used a rack and pinion design that is smoother than the toggle link used on most lever actions and were very well made firearms. Theodore Roosevelt is even known to have used one. Unfortunately, Bullard simply jumped into the lever action market too late to successfully compete with Winchester and Marlin in their heyday. This example is a large frame sporting rifle in deluxe configuration. The included notarized affidavit indicates the consignor's husband was the great, great grandson of inventor James Herbert Bullard who owned the Bullard Repeating Arms Company in Springfield, Mass. The rifle has a dovetailed blade front sight, military style notch and folding ladder rear sight, a forearm with multiple panels of checkering, and a checkered semi-pistol grip buttstock with shotgun butt fitted with a checkered rubber buttplate embossed with the Bullard logo. The only visible markings are "Cal./40" on the top of the receiver and the serial number, "537," behind the hammer. Also included is an extensive genealogy of the Bullard family back into the colonial era, a NEI dual cavity bullet mold, antique family crest stamp manufactured by R. H. Smith Mfg. Co. in Springfield, two extensive binders with copies of documents relating to various Bullard patents (including the Bullard rifle designs and a patent for a "steam road vehicle"), and two copies of "Bullard Firearms" by G. Scott Jameson. One of the copies is a special version of the 2nd edition in a case and is signed "To Eric Bullard Larsen a direct descendant of James Herbert Bullard. Best Wishes from your friend G. Scott Jameson. The stamp at the top right of the page matches the stamp included. The books and documents demonstrate that James Herbert Bullard's contributions to American industry go far beyond the estimated 10,000-12,000 lever action rifles and carbines as well as various single shot rifles his company manufactured in the 1880s. In fact, Bullard's checking machine was still in use at Smith & Wesson in 1971. Like many of the arms makers and inventors of his day, Bullard worked with other manufacturers before being out on his own. He was the master mechanic at Smith & Wesson from the mid to late 1870s before leaving to form the Springfield Sewing Machine Co. which was also partially backed by Daniel B. Wesson.

Very fine. 80% of the original blue finish remains overall. The hammer and lever display 60% original case colors. The colors on the top of the lever are particularly fiery. The balance displays gray and brown patina. There are some overall minor handling and storage marks. The wood is fine and has crisp checkering and minor dings and scratches. The buttplate has faded from age to a chocolate brown. The action functions smoothly, and the markings are crisp. The books are both in fine condition, and the stamp and bullet mold are in very good condition and have some mild wear. This is a historic example of a scarce Bullard Deluxe Lever Action Sporting Rifle previously owned by one of Bullard's descendants and complete with extensive documents.