Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely patinated example of a rare gun. This ignition system was invented in Boston, Mass. by Henry O. Peabody who received a patent in 1862. Production started in 1866 and continued through 1872. Though over 112,000 rifles and carbines were manufactured during that period, over 100,000 were shipped to Government Users outside the United States in several different calibers. This example is in .50 Caliber rimfire, and far fewer Carbines than the long rifles were made. We know Connecticut, Massachusetts and the Carolinas were customers and that many were shipped to France for the Franco Prussian war.

The markings on the left side of the receiver are a bit worn, but still fully legible:-

This gun is in very good condition, especially considering that it is close to 150 years in age, though it definitely shows a good amount of exposure to the elements, particularly the metalwork. The front of the receiver and barrel under the stock are both stamped with serial number 111613. We can also see an SKK stamp on the left side of the barrel but we do not know what this signifies.

The wood stocks have the lovely brown red color of aged walnut, though it does have some dents and wear, as expected on an old service rifle. The butt stock is lovely, stamped with U. S. / 3 right behind the receiver, and we can also see a larger 3 2 stamped into the left side. It shows some dents and small personalized markings, and there is a wood filler repair on the left rear next to the butt plate. The fore stock shows a small chunk missing on the rear left on the wood line, and there is also a significant wood filler repair on the right nose, at least 1/2 wide at the front. We did not see this carbine prior to this repair, so we have no idea how extensive it is unfortunately. When checking the serial number, we noted an E.E.H. inspection cartouche in the channel under the barrel, which we have not been able to identify.

The metalwork has a lovely aged patina, showing past peppering overall, now cleaned away. This looks like a carbine that saw a good amount of use in the field, and was probably not always properly wiped down after getting wet. We checked the action, and it functions well, though it is definitely a bit stiff. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full. The bore is in very good condition, with clear three groove rifling and a partly bright finish. There are some scattered areas of oxidation and fouling, particularly in the grooves. The original saddle ring is still present, attached to the fitting, which does have some wobble in the retaining ring.

Overall, this is a very nice patinated example of this rare saddle ring carbine, still in the original chambering! Ready to display!

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: 1866-71
Caliber: .50 cal
Cartridge Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 20 Inches
Overall Length: 39 Inches
Action type: Falling Breechblock with side action lock.
Feed System: Single Shot

History of the Peabody Rifle:

The name Henry O. Peabody ought to be well known by all fans of military firearms- but it isn't. As has been the case with so many inventive geniuses over the ages, Peabody's name and work have been overshadowed by others who took what he designed, changed it, and attached their own monikers to it. As with writers/artists, the lot of the inventor/designer is not always an easy one.

In 1862 Peabody patented a breech-loading rifle but was unable to perfect it in time to play a major role in the American Civil War (1860-1865). His basic design was based upon a pivoting breechblock, the front of which pivoted down on a transverse pin fixed through both the upper rear of the breechblock and the upper rear of the box-like receiver. As the breechblock was lowered, it exposed the barrel chamber and permitted the insertion of a cartridge. The rifle was fired by means of a musket-style outside hammer whose lockwork was inletted into the buttstock behind the receiver.

In operation, the hammer was set on halfcock, and the loading lever/trigger guard was pulled down to expose the chamber so that a cartridge could be slid down the grooved top of the breechblock into the chamber. As the lever was pulled up, an upward extension of the lever pushed the breechblock into battery and acted as a prop to keep it closed. When pulled down, the prop engaged a hooked portion of the block's undersurface and lowered it. As the breechblock was lowered, it activated an extractor that pulled the spent cartridge case from the chamber, throwing it clear of the receiver.

All in all, it was a strong, simple, rugged, and foolproof design eminently suited for military service.

When the American Civil War erupted, the Providence Tool Company obtained a contract to manufacture rifled muskets for the U.S. Army and eventually delivered 60,000 units. During the war, the company purchased Peabody's patents, and while samples of a carbine were submitted to the U.S. Army, no decision was made before the war ended. However, the basic soundness of the design led the company to promote it.

In 1865 the company entered the Peabody rifles and carbines in Army trials, and after extensive tests of durability, accuracy, weather resistance, and serviceability, the board declared the Peabody the winner. Unfortunately, with postwar financial constraints, the Army decided to adopt a rifle and carbine developed at Springfield Arsenal that had the advantage of being produced by modifying the vast number of rifled muskets already on hand.

The company continued to promote the Peabody in the U.S., and while it was unable to interest the U.S. Army, It was able to interest various different foreign governments, which is why they were manufactured in calibers such as .43 Spanish and 10.4mm Swiss Rimfire. However, after France cancelled a large order for these rifles, the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and South Carolina all purchased these Surplus Peabody rifles in .43 Spanish to equip their militias. In 1877 Connecticut returned its rifles to the factory to be refurbished, re-barreled for the standard .45-70 Government cartridge, and fitted with new rear sights. 

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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.

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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.