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Unique Peabody Single Shot Sporting Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:6,500.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Unique Peabody Single Shot Sporting Rifle
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA
Unique and Interesting Peabody Single Shot Sporting Rifle, mfg'd by Providence Tool Co., Serial No. 1, .45-50 Peabody Sporting cal., 26'' round blue barrel, case hardened frame, hammer and lever; hooded front sight, standard rear sight, and factory mid-range vernier tang sight; finely checkered black walnut stock and forend, with crescent steel buttplate. Approx. 200 of these sporting rifles were mfg'd in approx. 1869-70 utilizing receivers left over from Canadian and Romanian contracts, at which point they were alternately serialized. Of the 176 or so observed specimens, no two have the same alternate serial number. This rifle is marked ''1''. These sporting rifles were stamped on the receiver face and buttplate. The original serial number prior to sporting rifle production was #5968, which is marked beneath the forend near the breech of barrel and on forward edge of frame just above the serial number ''1''. Condition is excellent with all sights and features factory original to this rifle. Barrel retains approx. 98% of its original rust blue finish, showing only the lightest thinning at muzzle and with traces of blue remaining in chamber area. Case hardened colors have lightly toned a silvery gray, as has buttplate. Stock with mild flattening to checks and light general impressions overall. Action remains crisp and tight, bore is excellent. An outstanding example of an American mid-19th Century sporting rifle, which Peabody experts believe to be the first numbered representation of this model. Est.: $6,500-$8,500. (Antique)