4315 BURGESS PATENT EXPERIMENTAL REPEATING

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 500.00 USD
Estimated at 1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
RIFLE. Cal. 44CF. NSN. Bbl. 24 3/8". 3 Leaf hinged rear sight. Bead type sporting front sight mounted in dovetail. This unique tubular magazine repeating rifle utilizes a finger operated rear hinged vertically rising breech block which actuates the cartridge lifter and loads the chamber by means of integral cam. The action is made largely of brass except the hammer, trigger lifter, screws and pins. The left side of the receiver is marked at the forward end "BURGESS PAT". The rifle has no other visible markings. Internet research indicates Andrew Burgess held 894 U.S. patents. This is exceeded only by famed designer John Browning. Burgess had an interesting and varied career and worked with both Colt and Eli Whitney. The Marlin lever action series of rifles utilizes features patented by Andrew Burgess. Burgess established his own company in 1892 which operated until 1899 when it was bought out by Winchester repeating arms company. The exact source of this unique rifle is unverifiable. The rifle has a full length tubular magazine which is missing its spring and follower. One piece walnut stock and forend has a metal nose cap and nickel plated brass crescent buttplate. The rifle has a mag. cutoff operated by the lever in the left side of the trigger guard. The breech block has a transverse rectangular hole that appears to have held a lock which would engage a notch in the right side of the receiver. This part is no longer present. The extractor is mounted in the top of the receiver over the chamber and is held by a transverse screw which is a replacement. CONDITION: this rifle while not fully functional in present condition has all the signs of considerable use. The stock shows a well worn original finish with handling marks and light staining. The finish has a slightly matted appearance. There is a small missing chip at toe plus a small crack ahead of trigger guard tang. The action buttplate and trigger guard show a well worn nickel plating with numerous small dents and scratches. Screw heads are burred. Breech block has notable dents on top in front of hammer exposing the brass and has a shallow scratched cross hatched appearance. Firing pin does not extend completely through breech block. Barrel and mag. tube retain traces of blue in protected areas turning overall gray and patina with wear, light oxidation and handling marks. Bore has oxidation and light pitting but retains strong lands. (01-24261/RW). ANTIQUE. $1,000-2,000.