Exact manufacture dates for this rifle have been lost to time, but experts believe that Wesson manufactured under lever falling block rifles from the early or mid-1870s through the 1880s with total production of the No. 2 standing at less than 100. (Others have suggested that Wesson manufactured less than 75 No. 2s. A very rare single action rifle.) This rifle is listed by serial number in James Grant's book "Moore Single Shot Rifles," pages 64-65 and pictured and described in Grant's book on pages 60-61. This is a very interesting variation of the No. 2 in that the rifle has a factory engraving, pistol grip stock and left handed action. According to Grant, this rifle was the only Wesson under lever falling block rifle with a left handed action found for the study. The frame, trigger guard/lever, upper frame tang and buttplate have a beautiful factory scroll engraving on a dot background. The left side of the receiver has a blank oval inscription panel. A border engraving appears on the frame at the front and rear. The top barrel flat is marked "F. WESSON MAKER/Worcester, Mass." The top of the frame is marked "PATENTED JULY 10, 1877" in an oval. The serial number appears on the bottom of the frame under the lever. Blue barrel and casehardened hammer and breechblock with the remaining metal surfaces nickel plated, including the grip cap and buttplate. The barrel is chambered for the 40-70 Wesson case. The rifle is equipped with a windgauge/spirit level front sight and a tang Vernier peep sight. There are correctly no provisions for a rear sight on the barrel or on the frame. Mounted with a nicely figured and checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with a checkered shotgun style buttplate. Formerly of the Alvin Bebault collection.

Very fine. The barrel retains 80% thinned original blue finish. The hammer and breechblock retain traces of original case colors, otherwise has faded to a gray. The trigger has crude checkering. The remaining metal surfaces retain 97% original nickel plating. A long gash is present on top of the frame. The bolster is cracked. The wood is also very fine with some chipping around the buttplate tang and some minor handling marks. The checkering is crisp overall. Mechanically functions fine, but lever is slightly loose. Provenance: Robert M. Lee Collection.