William Billinghurst Percussion Rifle. Sn 22348 Muzzleloader .38 Rifle

**EXTREMELY RARE**C1840 William Billinghurst Rochester New York USA .38 Calibre Four Barrelled Swivel Breech Muzzle Loading Revolving Percussion Rifle. Sn 22348 - 22348

American gunmaker William Billinghurst manufactured high quality target pistols and revolving rifles as well as fishing reels. Before becoming the sole proprietor in 1839, he was employed by Joseph Medbery in 1827, and J. & J. Miller from 1834-1838. After 1838, Billinghurst made a version of the John and James Miller designed/patented revolving rifle. He was located in Rochester, New York 1839-1880. This is a very rare, American 4 barrel swivel-breech revolving rifle. There is no name on this example but it was almost certainly made by William Billinghurst of Rochester, New York. There are several other examples in well known U.S. collections that are identical in construction to this rifle. The rifled barrels are 25” long (42 ½” overall). Calibre is approx .38. There is a small inspection / proof mark visible on one of the barrels (illustrated in image 2). The rifled bores of each barrel have staining and residue consistent with age & use. The sighted barrel cluster is manually rotated by releasing a latch mounted on the top of the action. Complete with its original iron ramrod with brass end cap and tip secured by three iron pipes. It is estimated that less than 25 of these multi-shot rifles were made by Billinghurst. For a similar but two barrel rifle and further details about Billinghurst please see page 55 plate 44 in "FIREARMS CURIOSA" by Lewis Winant. The wood stock has knocks bumps and bruises consistent with age and there is a small piece of wood missing from one side of the action. The wood around that area is stable and secure (illustrated in the images), The metal work has even patina. The action, barrel cluster cylinder, butt plate tang and trigger guard with Pineapple finial have foliate tooled decoration. The rifle’s stock has a brass fore end block also with Pineapple finial. The rifle’s rotating barrel and double trigger / double hammer percussion firing mechanism works correctly. The price for this extremely rare piece includes UK delivery. NB. As an antique percussion rifle no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. Sn 22348

£3950