Buffalo Newton Rifle Co. Model 1916 .256 Newton 24″ Bolt Action C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,200.00

LSB# LSB260522JR053

Make: Newton Arms Co. (Buffalo, New York)

Model: 1916

Serial Number: 2644 (all serialized parts match)

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1916-1918 / ATF Classification: C&R

Caliber/Gauge: .256 Newton

Action Type: Bolt action, controlled round feed, hinged floorplate

Barrel Length: 24″, segmented parabolic rifling

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade with a serrated face dovetailed into a banded base soldered to the barrel. The rear sight is a pair of adjustable folding u-notches dovetailed into a banded base. The integral cocking piece sight is missing. The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped for a scope. There is a Lyman Alaskan 2 1/4x scope with post reticle installed on this rifle. We cannot guarantee optics.

Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture is one piece wood with a cheekpiece, checkered semi-pistol grip, checkered schnabel forend, and a rubber recoil pad. The LOP is 13 3/4″ from trigger to recoil pad. The stock has been refinished. There is a non-factory screw under the forend that engages the rear sight band. The stock has been glass bedded. There is flattened checkering. There is finish in the checkering. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There is a small crack just behind the bolt handle. There are no structural cracks. Overall this stock is in Good to Very Good condition. 

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is well defined. There is light erosion and pitting primarily through the grooves. There is some fouling. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 7/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its original finish. There is handling and operational wear. There is thinned bluing on the leading edges. There are light scratches and corrosion stains throughout. The screw heads are lightly tooled but serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Good condition. 

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Scope

Our Assessment: Charles Newton was one of the more innovative American rifle and cartridge designers of the early 20th century, with his work emphasizing high velocity, flat trajectories, and proprietary sporting cartridges. The First Model 1916 was manufactured in Buffalo, New York, and represented Newton’s first significant production rifle of his own design. Approximately 4,000 First Model rifles were ultimately produced or completed, making surviving examples relatively scarce today. The .256 Newton, introduced several years earlier, used a .264″ bullet and offered unusually high velocity for its period, anticipating the performance philosophy of many later American sporting cartridges.

This Model 1916 is a particularly interesting example retaining its original .256 Newton chambering, 24″ barrel with segmented parabolic rifling, and matching serialized components. The rifle retains about 80% of its original blue finish, with scattered handling and operational wear, thinning at the leading edges, scratches, and corrosion staining. The stock has been refinished and glass bedded and displays flattened checkering, scattered scratches and compression marks, and a small crack behind the bolt handle. The original cocking-piece sight is absent, and the receiver has been drilled and tapped to accept the installed Lyman Alaskan 2 1/4x scope. The bore is gray with well-defined rifling, light erosion and pitting primarily in the grooves, and rates 7/10. The action functions correctly. Despite its stock and sight alterations, this remains a scarce example of Charles Newton’s distinctive First Model sporting rifle in his signature .256 Newton chambering. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! MF