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Unique Lindner Patent Revolving Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,600.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Unique Lindner Patent Revolving Rifle
Subject to patent #17382 (Edward Lindner, 26 May 1857), this rifle uses an intricate arrangement of parts to make a multi-shot percussion repeater. Appearing externally as a revolving rifle, the cylinder on this piece is fed from a tube loaded with up to nine combustible cartridges, and primed from an automatic mechanism when the trigger is pulled, essentially making it a self-reloading revolver. The cocking lever, which is decorated to look like a fish head hammer, operates all of the other pieces; cocking the "hammer" advances the cylinder and extends a ratcheting assembly, which on release pulls back on the follower in the magazine tube, loading the lower chamber, while a striker pushes a fresh cap into position and fires the upper chamber. Though highly advanced, the complexity of the parts and the inherent risk of explosion in the magazine prevented its acceptance. Produced without sights, with a hinged panel on the right side of the frame, brass magazine tube and barrel band, and a smooth straight grip stock with a smooth naked butt. Edward Lindner held other, more successful patents on firearms, with his breech loading bolt action system being adopted by both the U.S. Army and some foreign armies in both carbine and rifle styles. This model has been pictured in issues of the Gun Collector (#35) and Gun Report (November and December 1966, February '67) and is accompanied by photocopies from relevant sections of Gun Report, copies of Lindner's patent and large photos of the gun disassembled.
BBL: 15-3/8 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 48
Finish: bright
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Fine as unfinished, with a gray patina and scattered spots of light pitting overall. The wood is chipped along the edges of the action but retains most if its varnish elsewhere. Mechanically fine. Formerly from the Frank Sellers Collection.