Original Item: Only One Available. Now THIS is rare! There were fewer than 2000 of these Whitney Howard "Thunderbolt" guns made, and this is number 579! These were submitted for U.S. Military trials, but were sadly rejected, not least because of it's weak bolt locking mechanism, which could "blow open" when fired. The fact that it was loaded from the bottom may also have had something to do with it. Stiff competition from other companies a well as the post-war glut of surplus arms led to little interest in the rifles at all. These are very rare to find on the market, and is the first example that we have had.

There is not much on these guns, so we are not sure if this example qualifies as a "rifle", "carbine" or "sporting rifle". 

The gun is marked with the patent information on the left side of the action:

The right side has the manufacturer information:

Condition is overall very good, with the expected wear to the metal finish and the wood stock. The gun cycles well and dry fires, though it is a bit stiff. The bore shows clear lands and grooves, with a partly bright finish. The original rear sight for some reason was removed, and replaced with an adjustable Winchester-style sliding spring sight.

A very nice example of a VERY rare gun. Ready to add to your collection and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1866 - 1867
Caliber: .44
Cartridge Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 24 Inches
Overall Length: 43 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Trapdoor Breech Single Shot

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.

The Howard "THUNDERBOLT" was the brainchild of two brothers - Charles and Sebre Howard. Sebre is responsible for the basic design, Patent number 36,779 being registered in his name on October 28, 1862. This original patent describes a breech-loading lever-operated rifle.

The cocking and firing mechanism was to be completely enclosed in a cylindrical extension of the breech of the rifle. Actuating the lever-like trigger guard drew back a piston and disc, compressing a spring housed in the cylinder. A hammer rod passing through the coil spring engaged the sear upon cocking. Closing the trigger guard sealed the breech by bringing the piston forward against the cartridge and chambering it. Pressure on the trigger released the hammer rod and attached disc, striking the piston. From the piston face protruded two small pegs which struck the rim of the rim-fire cartridge. Extractor jaws protrude from the top and bottom of the piston head alongside the cylinder wall to grip the base of the cartridge for extraction.

Three additional patents were granted, September 26,1865, October 10, 1865, and May 16, 1866, to Charles Howard, for improvements to the "THUNDERBOLT". These improvements covered the elimination of the set trigger, moving the loading port to the bottom of the weapon from the side, changes to the ignition and extraction systems, and improvements to the lever system and bayonet.

(From Marv Adams Presents: The Howard "THUNDERBOLT" by Marv Adams)

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 most US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for 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.