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Rare Prototype British Military Proofed Needham Breech Loading Trials Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:0.00 USD Estimated At:5,500.00 - 7,500.00 USD
Rare Prototype British Military Proofed Needham Breech Loading Trials Carbine
This is a unique example of a British Needham breech-loading percussion carbine. The carbine features a pivoting breech with down-turned lever and side-mounted hammer. The round barrel has a folding, three-leaf rear sight mounted on the breech. The buttplate and trigger guard are brass and a steel sling bar is mounted on the left stock flat. The carbine has a wedge-fastened, oil-finished walnut stock. The right side of the breech is engraved: "No. 981/J. NEEDHAM'S/PATENT" in three lines. (the 981 is the patent number, not serial number). A British "Crown/V" proofmark is stamped on the side of the breechblock.
BBL: 20 1/2 inches
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 58 percussion
Finish: bright
Grips:
Serial Number: nsn
Condition: Very good. The barrel, breechblock and hammer have been lightly cleaned and have a silver-gray patina with scattered light pitting and age discoloration. The brass trigger guard and buttplate have a mellow age patina. The sling ring is missing from the bar. The stock is very fine with moderate handling wear and several minor dents on the left side of the forearm surrounding the barrel wedge. This is a solid example of a prototype British breech loading percussion carbine that writer cannot recall ever having offered at auction!