RARE JACOBS PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE BY SWINBURN OF ENGLAND.

RARE JACOBS PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE BY SWINBURN OF ENGLAND. SN 550. Cal. 32 Bore (.585 groove diameter). This unusual and innovative British military rifle was designed and ordered by the Quixotic Gen. John Jacob to arm his special battalion of native (Indian) riflemen, to be known as “Jacobs Rifles”. Jacob died before the unit could be organized, but he was able to place an order for approx 900 rifles with Swinburn & Son of London. This is one of those rifles. There are also references to Jacob-style rifles being used in the American Civil War, and as England became a large supplier to both the North and the South, there is no reason not to suppose that some, indeed, did see combat. Jacob bullets have purportedly turned up at some battle sites, and there is an intriguing account by George Hughes Hepworth in “The Whip, Hoe and Sword; Or the Gulf-Department in ’63(1864)” which seems to describe the Jacob rifle (and possibly even exploding bullets) very accurately: “The rebels, too, were good shots. There was one man who was a source of great annoyance to us: and many a poor fellow will testify to his existence by showing a very peculiar and ugly wound in leg or arm.” It features 24″ browned steel double bbls. Rifle has Jacob developed 4 very deep groove rifling to take 2-1/2 caliber long pointed bullet with bosses corresponding to rifling cast-in. Bbls are fitted with wide flat full length rib and are optimistically sighted out to 2000 yards with 3 folding V-notch leaves to 300 yards, and flip-up ladder sight with sliding V-notch for remainder. This sight is almost 5″ long and lays along rib, and is held from being distorted by deep notch in heavy bbl band, which affixes bbls to stock. Large bead front sight is dovetailed through end of rib, and bayonet lug is affixed to side of right bbl. Bottoms of bbls are stamped “32” and with Birmingham proofs, as well as what appear to be military inspectors marks, which also appear on bbl band, sights, breech iron, and stock. Steel ramrod with large head and medial swell has removable brass tip, and mounts through single large thimble. Patent breeches are un-vented, and mount large musket cap nipples. SN is on hooks. Plain breech iron has small fences. Back action locks have robust military hammers, and are stamped “Swinburn & Son 1860”. Steel trigger guard extends to checkered spur forming grip. Dense European walnut stock measures 14-1/2″ over steel buttplate. spring loaded circular patchbox is mounted on right side, and is engraved “Jacobs Rifles”. Large sling loop mounts behind trigger guard tang with corresponding loop at bottom of bbl band. Drop at heel: Approx 2-3/16″, drop at comb: Approx 1-9/16″. Weight: 10 lbs. 6 oz. LOP 14-1/2″. PROVENANCE: Internet information on Jacobs Rifles from myjacobfamily.com. CONDITION: Very good. Bbls retain considerable amount of old re-brown over considerable light pitting. Damascus figure of rib is quite evident. Other metalwork is mostly silver to brown, but has been highlighted to blue with heat. Stock retains most of an old oil finish over many marks and discolorations. Bores are fine, with some light frosting. Locks are crisp. A good solid example of one of these scarce and interesting rifle that very well may have seen battle between the States. 4-42520 MGM161 (5,000-7,500)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012

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
	2407	$6,900.00	RARE JACOBS PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE BY SWINBURN OF ENGLAND. SN 550. Cal. 32 Bore (.585 groove diameter). This unusual and innovative British military rifle was designed and ordered by the Quixotic Gen. John Jacob to arm his special battalion of native (Indian) riflemen, to be known as “Jacobs Rifles”. Jacob died before the unit could be organized, but he was able to place an order for approx 900 rifles with Swinburn & Son of London. This is one of those rifles. There are also references to Jacob-style rifles being used in the American Civil War, and as England became a large supplier to both the North and the South, there is no reason not to suppose that some, indeed, did see combat. Jacob bullets have purportedly turned up at some battle sites, and there is an intriguing account by George Hughes Hepworth in “The Whip, Hoe and Sword; Or the Gulf-Department in ’63(1864)” which seems to describe the Jacob rifle (and possibly even exploding bullets) very accurately: “The rebels, too, were good shots. There was one man who was a source of great annoyance to us: and many a poor fellow will testify to his existence by showing a very peculiar and ugly wound in leg or arm.” It features 24″ browned steel double bbls. Rifle has Jacob developed 4 very deep groove rifling to take 2-1/2 caliber long pointed bullet with bosses corresponding to rifling cast-in. Bbls are fitted with wide flat full length rib and are optimistically sighted out to 2000 yards with 3 folding V-notch leaves to 300 yards, and flip-up ladder sight with sliding V-notch for remainder. This sight is almost 5″ long and lays along rib, and is held from being distorted by deep notch in heavy bbl band, which affixes bbls to stock. Large bead front sight is dovetailed through end of rib, and bayonet lug is affixed to side of right bbl. Bottoms of bbls are stamped “32” and with Birmingham proofs, as well as what appear to be military inspectors marks, which also appear on bbl band, sights, breech iron, and stock. Steel ramrod with large head and medial swell has removable brass tip, and mounts through single large thimble. Patent breeches are un-vented, and mount large musket cap nipples. SN is on hooks. Plain breech iron has small fences. Back action locks have robust military hammers, and are stamped “Swinburn & Son 1860”. Steel trigger guard extends to checkered spur forming grip. Dense European walnut stock measures 14-1/2″ over steel buttplate. spring loaded circular patchbox is mounted on right side, and is engraved “Jacobs Rifles”. Large sling loop mounts behind trigger guard tang with corresponding loop at bottom of bbl band. Drop at heel: Approx 2-3/16″, drop at comb: Approx 1-9/16″. Weight: 10 lbs. 6 oz. LOP 14-1/2″. PROVENANCE: Internet information on Jacobs Rifles from myjacobfamily.com. CONDITION: Very good. Bbls retain considerable amount of old re-brown over considerable light pitting. Damascus figure of rib is quite evident. Other metalwork is mostly silver to brown, but has been highlighted to blue with heat. Stock retains most of an old oil finish over many marks and discolorations. Bores are fine, with some light frosting. Locks are crisp. A good solid example of one of these scarce and interesting rifle that very well may have seen battle between the States. 4-42520 MGM161 (5,000-7,500) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012 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.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}