Rare Quackenbush Junior Safety Rifle Nickel 22LR 17” Single Shot 1896-1919
SOLD FOR: $1,248.00
LSB #: WY240803MR045
Make: H.M. Quackenbush
Model: Junior Safety Rifle
Serial Number:NVSN
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1896- 1919, C&R Non-NFA
Caliber: 22 Rimfire (short, long or, Long Rifle)
Action Type: Single Shot, Break Action, Breach Loader
Markings: The left of the frame is marked “H.M.QUACKENBUSH. HERKINER .N.Y.U.S./ PAT. IN US & ENG. FEB 23’86 & BELG.MAR15’86, US SEP.23.90”
Barrel Length: 17 & 7/8” Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a replacement sight blade dovetailed into the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a replacement “v” notch leaf sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition:The stock is a detachable skeleton style wire stock The stock is original to the gun in this writer’s experience. The LOP measures 13 & 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the bent wire shoulder rest. There are no cracks, a few scuffs, and the stock is nickeled to match the gun. The sights and the take down screw which have been replaced cannot be attributed to Henry Quackenbush. The breech is quite functional however. The stock rates in about very good overall condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: Single Shot 22 RF Breach load
Type of Finish: Nickel Plated
Finish Originality: re-finished; was originally blued barrel
Bore Condition:The bore is dark, and the rifling is worn. There is erosion in the bore. There is corrosion & fouling in the grooves that are left. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its current metal finish. The balance of the finish shows heavy operation/handling wear. Thinning, near the breech, finish loss on the grip frame; scratches & scuffs on the barrel; tiny nicks in the stock on the swivel breech. There are drag lines near the swivel breach; The screw heads range from lightly tooled with serviceable slots, to disfigured. The pins also range from marred to unmarred. The markings are partial and deep, but legible. Overall, this rifle rates in about good condition.
Mechanics: The action does not function completely correctly. It will fire a round but the breech will not lock . So we do not advise firing this weapon. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: Quackenbush was born in Herkimer, New York, in 1847. At age fourteen, he began an apprenticeship at gun manufacturer Remington Arms Co.,where he acquired skills as a metalworker and gunmaker. At the age of 16, he invented the extension ladder, which he patented on Oct. 22, 1867, and then began manufacturing them himself, until he sold the patent for $500.
Several years later, he left his job at Remington to start his own metal working and gun shop in his hometown of Herkimer. It was a good running shop.
In 1871, he founded the Quackenbush Company in Herkimer, New York, and obtained his first air gun patent (issued June 6, 1871) for his Eureka air pistol. The pistol is now a collectors item
The company began producing air rifles in 1876. Their spring/air design, as well as the steam-powered manufacturing plant itself, were considered to be innovative at the time.
In the 1880s, they began mass production of so-called “gallery guns”, and the Quackenbush name appeared in carnival and amusement arcade shooting galleries throughout the United States.
The company went on to play a key role in the standardization of shot sizes for shotguns and air-guns, and to produce many models of their very popular Quackenbush air rifles.
The Quackenbush rifle most often encountered today is a clever but cheaply made “Boys’ rifle” sold in large numbers in the 1893-1920 period, along with several models of air guns. They came with either a fixed wire stock or one that slid forward for use as a “bicycle rifle”, nearly identical with the stock later used on the USAF M4 survival rifle. They appeared on page 310 of the 1902 Edition of ‘The Sears, Roebuck Catalog’. Quackenbush rifles are fairly desirable collector items in the United States and sell for several hundred US dollars depending on the exact model and the condition.
The company also developed and manufactured many other products over the years — ranging from rifles and sport firearms to kitchen gadgets and seafood tools. Based on U.S. Patent Office records, H.M. Quackenbush and his company were responsible for inventing, or significantly contributing to the development of, numerous early 20th century inventions, including: types of bicycles; a foot-powered wood lathe; the scroll saw; darts; stair rails; the extension ladder; a bathroom shelf; the nutcracker and picks; the .22 caliber rimfire rifle (3 models, including a Safety rifle and bicycle rifle); various air rifles and pistols; ammunition for airguns, including lead air rifle shot (commonly known as “BBs”), felted slugs; the Kaleidoscope; and garment hangers (“coat hangers”).
In addition to the items he invented and manufactured, Quackenbush also had to invent the machinery needed to produce the items, which included many innovative manufacturing techniques and methods.
Check out his Ad for the original Junior Safety Rifle.
https://safetymikecsp.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/quackenbush.jpg
“ $3.60 Quackenbush Junior Safety Rifle”
…has a fine steel nickel plated skeleton stock, which can be easily detached for carrying in small 18 inch space. Blued barrels, finely rifled. Whole length, 32 inches. Weight, 4 pounds, 22- Caliber, rimfire only. Safe, accurate and reliable, and fully warranted by the manufactures. Guaranteed Good Shooters.
No. 6R672 Our Special price ……. $3.60”
Mr. Quackenbush was one of the genius minds of our day. This is truly a rare item from the past. So bid high and bid firm. I highly encourage you to take a look at the condition in our high quality photos. Good luck on your bid. -K.F.
