This experimental breech loading firearm is the work of William H. Arnold of Washington D.C. and one of only two manufactured on Harpers Ferry machinery in 1859. A copy of hand written correspondence, dated May 14th, 1959, between William Arnold and Colonel Henry K. Craig of the U.S. Ordnance office is included in which Craig states, "Sir, I learn that you are in correspondence with the Foreman and others of the Harpers Ferry Armory in relation to the two guns of your design which were directed to be made there for you..." A copy is included of page 1115 in the 1859 annual report of the Secretary of War in which it reports on special work performed at Harpers Ferry and states, "In addition to the regular manufacture of arms, much labor has been expended in experimenting on breech-loading arms. One on the Arnold plan..." and page 974 of the report has a list of "Arms and appendages manufactured" and shows "1 wire press for Arnold's gun." This firearm follows Arnold's patent number 26,076, dated November 15th, 1859. Pulling up and backwards on a lever with a latch at the front similar to a Merrill, a hollow chamber slides backwards and flips up for loading. In Arnold's firearm patent, he mentions, "This fire-arm is designed to be used with my tail-guide projectile..." Arnold's projectile, patent number 23,538 dated April 12th, 1859, is a conical bullet with a hollow cavity at its base and an attached metal rod and tail piece designed to aid in steadiness during flight. Arnold's theory was that a heavy arrow had more shocking power than a standard bullet, and reportedly there were trials performed at West Point with one of these two rifles that disproved the theory. The barrel is smoothbore for use with these projectiles. Features a dovetail mounted pin front sight, unmarked 4 inch tall sliding ladder rear sight, hammer in the style of a Model 1841 rifle, trigger guard and lower tang with an integral grip similar to a Hall rifle, and an unmarked curved buttplate. "1" is marked on the right rear of the receiver and on the head of the pivoting screw for the breech lever. "GDM" (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. This is the only example this describer has witnessed like it, and certainly a forward thinking concept for the time in that it essentially shoots a powder charged high velocity dart! Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Fine, retaining 60% original brown finish with scattered moderate freckling, and some areas of light pitting. 50% plus darkened original casehardened finish remains on the breech lever, strongest on protected internal components. Stock is also very good with scattered scratches, chips, dents, a crack at the right behind the hammer, and a hairline crack ahead of the trigger guard. Mechanically excellent. A likely one-of-a-kind Harpers Ferry attributed Arnold patent prototype long arm that would make a fine addition to any advanced early firearms collection!