VERY RARE JENNINGS BREECH LOADING RIFLE.

VERY RARE JENNINGS BREECH LOADING RIFLE. Cal. 54. NSN. Very rare rifle, either altered from or made from parts of the orig Jennings repeating rifle, one of only a few made in the period 1850-1851. These rifles were invented by Lewis Jennings of Windsor, Vermont and produced by Robbins & Lawrence in Windsor, Vermont in very limited quantities, probably less than 1,000 of all three types ever made. They were originally produced as repeating rifles utilizing the Hunt “rocket ball” which was a hollow bullet with the powder inside covered with a pierced paper which allowed the powder to be ignited by the pill primer. They were grossly underpowered and unsuitable for either hunting or defense and therefore almost completely unsuccessful. When this became apparent Jennings stopped production of the repeater and either converted already produced repeaters into single shot breech loaders such as this one or manufactured them from existing parts. It is unknown how many were actually made but it can be surmised that it was only a very few hundred making this one of the most rare American production rifles every made. With the lack of success for the orig repeating rifle, Jennings apparently decided to produce rifles in single shot. This was accomplished by reducing the size of the magazine tube, shortening it slightly and utilizing it for stowage of a brass tipped hickory cleaning rod. It has 27-1/2” heavy rnd bbl with tiny brass front sight and dovetail mounted, elevation adjustable, rear sight. It has flat sided receiver, engraved on both sides and across top with light foliate arabesque patterns. Left side is marked “PATENT 1849 / C.P. DIXON AGENT / NEW YORK”. Top of frame just forward of hammer has a raised area which contains the pill priming reservoir, the cover of which is missing. Right forward side of frame has a small hinged door which, when opened, allows access to the chamber area for loading. It has a long oval triggerguard with ring trigger which functions to operate the breechblock and pill primer feed as well as release the hammer. Just in front of the triggerguard is a sling swivel. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain, American walnut with lightly engraved, German silver, 2-pc patchbox and a crescent buttplate with engraved tang & toeplate. CONDITION: Very good to fine. No orig finish remains being a mottled silver/brown patina, probably having been cleaned a long time ago. Stock has a repaired crack and is missing two large chips by top tang and retains most of an old refinish with minor nicks & scratches. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore. 4-30232 JR75 (7,500-12,500)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1054	$15,525.00	VERY RARE JENNINGS BREECH LOADING RIFLE. Cal. 54. NSN. Very rare rifle, either altered from or made from parts of the orig Jennings repeating rifle, one of only a few made in the period 1850-1851. These rifles were invented by Lewis Jennings of Windsor, Vermont and produced by Robbins & Lawrence in Windsor, Vermont in very limited quantities, probably less than 1,000 of all three types ever made. They were originally produced as repeating rifles utilizing the Hunt “rocket ball” which was a hollow bullet with the powder inside covered with a pierced paper which allowed the powder to be ignited by the pill primer. They were grossly underpowered and unsuitable for either hunting or defense and therefore almost completely unsuccessful. When this became apparent Jennings stopped production of the repeater and either converted already produced repeaters into single shot breech loaders such as this one or manufactured them from existing parts. It is unknown how many were actually made but it can be surmised that it was only a very few hundred making this one of the most rare American production rifles every made. With the lack of success for the orig repeating rifle, Jennings apparently decided to produce rifles in single shot. This was accomplished by reducing the size of the magazine tube, shortening it slightly and utilizing it for stowage of a brass tipped hickory cleaning rod. It has 27-1/2” heavy rnd bbl with tiny brass front sight and dovetail mounted, elevation adjustable, rear sight. It has flat sided receiver, engraved on both sides and across top with light foliate arabesque patterns. Left side is marked “PATENT 1849 / C.P. DIXON AGENT / NEW YORK”. Top of frame just forward of hammer has a raised area which contains the pill priming reservoir, the cover of which is missing. Right forward side of frame has a small hinged door which, when opened, allows access to the chamber area for loading. It has a long oval triggerguard with ring trigger which functions to operate the breechblock and pill primer feed as well as release the hammer. Just in front of the triggerguard is a sling swivel. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain, American walnut with lightly engraved, German silver, 2-pc patchbox and a crescent buttplate with engraved tang & toeplate. CONDITION: Very good to fine. No orig finish remains being a mottled silver/brown patina, probably having been cleaned a long time ago. Stock has a repaired crack and is missing two large chips by top tang and retains most of an old refinish with minor nicks & scratches. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore. 4-30232 JR75 (7,500-12,500) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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