This is an early example of the repeating rifles manufactured by Adirondack Arms Co. based on Orvil M. Robinson's patent. Very little is known about the inventor or the manufacturer. The rifle was designed and patented by Orvil M. Robinson of Upper Jay, New York, and Winchester Repeating Arm Co. later bought his patents. It is believed A.S. Babbit of Plattsburgh, New York, manufactured the arms and the Adirondack Firearms Company of Plattsburgh, New York, was a financial entity only and was formed to market the rifles. These rare rifles were manufactured from 1870 to 1874, and collectors have identified two different models. This example is a Model I, or Model 1870, which, as Flayderman's describes it, has "wing-like grippers for fingers at each side of the hammer for activating mechanism and cocking." The serial number is marked on the left side of the barrel and frame at the breech as well as on the loading gate. The right side of the frame is marked with the three-line Robinson patent date/A.S. Babbit address. It has a dovetail blade front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight (elevator absent), German silver trigger guard, and straight grip stock with crescent buttplate. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection

Good. The magazine tube retains some faded original blue finish, otherwise the rifle has a mixed brown-gray patina and a small crack on the lower left side of the frame. The stock is very good with a couple hairline stress cracks at the receiver, some chipping at the tangs and some minor handling marks. Mechanically fine.