Connecticut State Militia Peabody Rifle .45-70 33” Falling Block, Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,475.00
LSB#: LSB260419DN057
Make: Providence Tool Company
Model: Peabody Rifle, Connecticut State Militia
Serial Number: 7
Year of Manufacture: Circa, 1870s / Antique
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Action Type: Single Shot with Lever Actuated Drop Block and External Hammer
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “PEABODY’S PAT. / JULY 22, 1862 / MAN’F’D BY / PROVIDENCE TOOL CO. / PROV. R. I.”. The plate on the belly of the stock is marked, “CONN 1842”. There are various small U.S. proofs throughout. The barrel is marked, H / 7” with proofs. The stock is marked with several “H” proofs and a “7”
Barrel Length: 33”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a low blade with a rectangular base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder set into an elevator base..
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a metal nosecap, two barrel bands, slot cut for the missing cleaning rod, straight wrist, straight comb and steel carbine-style buttplate. There are moderate scratches, pressure dents, and small chips throughout. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/2? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the Henry-style rifling is pronounced. There is moderate erosion and small spots of pitting throughout. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7/10 as an Antique.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about none of its metal finish. There is moderate handling wear and heavy patina throughout. The case color receiver retains none of its finish. The action has moderate wear and surface rust. The screw heads are moderately tooled, and the pins are mostly undamaged. The markings are mostly clear with some being faded. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This Providence Tool Company Peabody Rifle is a historically significant Connecticut State Militia-marked single-shot military rifle from the post-Civil War era. Designed by Henry O. Peabody and manufactured by Providence Tool Co. of Rhode Island, the Peabody used a strong lever-actuated falling block system with an external hammer and was one of the important American breechloading military rifle designs of the late 19th century. This example is chambered in .45-70 Government and bears Connecticut militia property marking “CONN 1842,” along with U.S. proofs and matching “7” markings, giving it strong state militia and martial collector appeal. This rifle shows honest antique service wear and remains in Good condition for its age. The metal retains essentially none of its original blue or case color finish, with the surfaces now showing moderate handling wear, heavy patina, and some surface rust on the action. The two-piece walnut stock set remains in Very Good condition as an antique, with moderate scratches, pressure dents, small chips, and no cracks. The bore is gray with pronounced Henry-style rifling, moderate erosion, and scattered small pitting, rating 7/10 as an antique. The markings remain mostly clear, with some fading, and the action functions correctly.
For collectors of American martial arms, state militia rifles, and early metallic-cartridge breechloaders, this Connecticut-marked Peabody is a compelling and desirable rifle. Its Providence Tool manufacture, low serial number, .45-70 chambering, Connecticut militia marking, and antique status give it historical weight beyond its finish condition. While it shows the expected patina and wear of a 19th-century service arm, it remains a solid representative of an important transitional rifle design that bridged the gap between Civil War-era muzzleloaders and later single-shot military cartridge rifles. -R.E.