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Interesting & Rare, Serial Number 1 Arnold Patent
Breech Loading Percussion Longarm from the George Moller Collection
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!
CONDITION: 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!
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
LOT 3141
Rare Harpers Ferry 1859 Arnold Patent Prototype Breech Loading Percussion Long Arm, Shoots Experimental “Tail- Guide Projectiles” - Serial no. 1, 50 cal., 28 inch round bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. 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...”
86 Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000