Connecticut State Militia Peabody Rifle .45-70 33” Falling Block, Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,076.54
LSB#: LSB260224HE076
Make: Providence Tool Company
Model: Peabody Rifle, Connecticut State Militia
Serial Number: 1673
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1870
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Action Type: Single Shot with Lever Actuated Drop Block and External Hammer
Barrel Length: 33″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with a rectangular base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder sight with a slider which can be adjusted when folded down or up. When folded down, the slider presents a wide “V”-notch adjustable from 1-4 (hundreds of yards). When folded up, the slider has a fine “U”-notch. The notch is fine-adjustable for windage on the slider assembly.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a metal nosecap, two barrel bands, slot cut for the included clearing rod, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine-style buttplate. The belly has an inlaid screw-secured plate marked “CONN / 1673”. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs, scratches and bruises, most finished-over. A few small losses at edges have also been sanded smooth. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/2″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the plate. The plate has mostly gone to a moderate patina with scattered surface oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color, there are remnants of what appears to be black paint.
Finish Originality: Most surfaces appear Original, the paint is not.
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with strong henry-style rifling. There is scattered light erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6+/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 3% of its metal finish. There is little remaining finish, mostly case color on interior portions visible with the action open. Other exposed surfaces have mostly gone to a fairly uniform patina with remnants of what appears to be black paint at some corners and around raised features. There is infrequent minor surface erosion, mostly along the stock-lines. There are some nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this rifle is in about Very 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: Included is an M1874 socket cruciform bayonet (originally intended for Turkish contracts). The bayonet will not properly install with the clearing rod in the stock.
Our Assessment: Patented by Henry Peabody in 1862, the Peabody rifle would see development during the Civil War and was submitted to U.S. trials in 1864, but the war ended before the rifle could see standard military adoption. The Peabody rifles did see foreign contract sales with many chambered for .43 Spanish, sold to Spain, Mexico and France. They also saw adoption by some American militias, including Massachusetts and Connecticut. This example is a Connecticut Militia marked gun, retrofitted from a .43 Spanish chambered order intended for France. The rifles went back to the manufacturer, Providence Tool Company where they were re-barreled with Henry rifling and chambered for .45-70 Government cartridges. This example is in nice shape for its age, and good clear inspection and militia markings on the metal. This will make a great addition to a collection of early American cartridge rifles, especially if you focus on State Militia guns or are from The Constitution State. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Bud