{"product_id":"original-u-s-whitney-howard-thunderbolt-lever-action-44cal-single-shot-rifle-serial-579","title":"Original U.S. Whitney Howard “Thunderbolt” Lever Action .44cal Single Shot Rifle - Serial 579","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. Now THIS is rare! There were fewer than 2000 of these Whitney Howard \"Thunderbolt\" guns made, and this is number \u003cstrong\u003e579\u003c\/strong\u003e! 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is not much on these guns, so we are not sure if this example qualifies as a \"rifle\", \"carbine\" or \"sporting rifle\". \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gun is marked with the patent information on the left side of the action:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eC. HOWARD PATENTED.SEPT. 26. \u0026amp;OCT.10.1865-OCT. 28. 1862\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe right side has the manufacturer information:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMANUF'D. FOR-HOWARD-BROTHERS-BY-WHITNEY-ARMS-CO.-WHITNEYVILLE.CONN.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very nice example of a VERY rare gun. Ready to add to your collection and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture:\u003cspan\u003e circa 1866 - 1867\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .44\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Rimfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 24 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 43 1\/2 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Side Action Lock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Trapdoor Breech Single Shot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Howard \"THUNDERBOLT\"\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(From \u003cem\u003eMarv Adams Presents: The Howard \"THUNDERBOLT\"\u003c\/em\u003e by Marv Adams)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31333516279877,"sku":"ON11111","price":1495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ON11111__01.jpg?v=1594671277","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-whitney-howard-thunderbolt-lever-action-44cal-single-shot-rifle-serial-579","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}