Original Item: Only One Available. The lovely "Billinghurst Style" percussion cylinder rifle, based on the design James and John Miller (or Millar), who had patented several designs of cylinder rifle in the 1830s and 1840s. They founded a small firm that produced the rifles for several years, though James would pass away and John ended up leaving the business. After several other partners were bought out, the company and designs were apparently under the control of William Billinghurst, who had most likely been an employee working under the Miller brothers. Unfortunately the history of the company and the "cylinder rifle" is a bit convoluted, but suffice to say that it was a relatively well received design, which was produced for several decades. They would later be replaced by proper "revolving rifles", which did not require manually advancing the cylinder while holding down a lock button. 

At the time however, they were far more simpler to use, and less likely to break, making them an attractive solution for not having to reload after every shot while junting. This patinated example is unfortunately completely unmarked, but does resemble those made by Patrick Smith of Buffalo, N.Y., particularly with regards to the patch box and trigger guard. The overall shape is also quite similar as well, though unfortunately there is not much out there on the various makers of these. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, though the end of the hammer is definitely damaged from repeated hammer strikes. The cylinder rotates easily, and the tab engaged lock on the bottom is fully functional, and six of the seven cap nipple cones are still present, though all are worn. We checked the bore, and the 8 groove rifling is still visible, but definitely worn, so this cylinder rifle looks to have seen extensive use during its service life. We measured the bore, and it comes out to about 0.42", while the front of the cylinders measures about 0.43", which is typical to account for the extra space needed by the wadding.

These rifles are extremely rare, as they were eventually superseded by much more effective repeating rifles, and most were eventually thrown away. This is a rare chance to add an early American Design repeating rifle to your collection!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1850
Caliber: .42cal - 8 groove rifling.
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 25 inches
Overall Length: 47 1/2 inches
Action: Rear Action Percussion with Manually Advanced Cylinder
Feed System: 7 Shot Cylinder

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.