This was Horace Smith's (later Smith & Wesson) improvement on the Jennings "Rocket Ball" rifle. He was issued a patent in 1851 for an improved action and the repeating rifle was manufactured by Robbins & Lawrence. Offered here is one of less than 200 third models manufactured in 1852. The third model had fluted lower frame sides, an improved pill priming system and side loading port with a sliding plate. Blade and notch sights, "4" marked on top of the barrel at the breech, light floral engraved receiver, hammer and buttplate tang, Dixon agent marking on the left side of the frame, illegible script marking on the upper receiver tang (looks like "C.P.Dixon"), and a scroll engraved German silver oval on the right side of the buttstock. This rifle was formerly of the famed William Lock collection and is pictured and identified in the book "The William M. Locke Collection" on page 494. The Jennings and the Smith-Jennings rifles are important in the evolution of Winchester having brought together the talents of B. Tyler Henry (who later played a major role in the development of the rifle and ammunition for Volcanic, New Haven and Winchester Arms companies), Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson (later Smith & Wesson, whose efforts ultimately led to historic developments in the lever action repeating firearms). The Jennings and Smith-Jennings rifles have only recently been properly classified by a detailed study in "Evolution of Winchester" by R.B. McDowell.

Very good plus. The rifle has an overall bright appearance, and the buttplate retains much of the reapplied heat blue finish. The refinished stock is fine with some minor handling marks. Mechanically needs work: the hammer will cock and drop with the trigger, but the trigger is loose, and the primer disk is not advancing. A historically significant rifle to the evolution of Winchester design rarely cataloged. Provenance: William Locke collection and Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.