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RARE Volcanic Contemporary Marston Lever Action Rifle #11 of Less than 300!
Guns International #: 100808381 Seller's Inventory #: 10329
Category: Antique Rifles - Percussion - Civil War Rifles
Seller's Information
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Seller: AncestryGunsLLC
Company: Ancestry Guns LLC
Member Since: 11/3/16
State: Missouri
Zip: 65203
Country: United States
Phone: (314) 707-7373
International Phone: 314-707-7373
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 1567
Total Number of Listings: 30377
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Credit Card, Certified Check, Money Order
Description:
RARE Antique Marston Lever Action Percussion Rifle
No. 11 of Less Than 300 w Bird’s Eye Maple Stock!
Here we present an antique W.W. Marston Breech Loading Lever Action Percussion Rifle, made circa 1850 in New York City by Wm. Walker Marston. Less than 300 are estimated to have been made in all varieties with different calibers, barrel lengths, embellishments and even a shotgun variant. Only about 25 different examples are known today. This is an extremely rare rifle and a very interesting one at that, considering that it was an early lever action made to use early proprietary cartridges.
William Walker Marston immigrated to the United States from the town of Deal, England in the 1830s, when just a boy. His father was a gunsmith and the father and son would later share a space in New York, both working as gunsmiths. Each were inventors and innovators, holding various patents in the U.S. and abroad for both firearms and non-firearms related products (like an improved printing press). William became most notable for his pocket-sized percussion pistols, pepperboxes and revolvers, but he was also on the cutting edge of the time for this lesser known development of a self-contained percussion cartridge and the breech-loading, lever operated rifles and pistols that used them.
His initial design was of a cardboard cartridge that contained the hollow based lead projectile, powder and a leather disc at the rear. The primary claim for the hard-won patent was that the leather disc would remain in the bore after the cartridge was shot (the case would be shot out with the rest), and was moved along by the next cartridge loaded into the breech. The next shot would be fired and the leather piece would effectively clean out the bore ahead of the next shot. In addition, the leather circle would also mate with the breech block of the firearm, creating a better gas seal for the breech. After several attempts in the U.S. he was awarded the patent. The rifle pictured was built to fire such a cartridge. The next improvement came in 1863, when he applied for and was granted a patent on what was to be a very early centerfire cartridge. The primer was included on to the cartridge and stuck out of the center rear.
During a time of rapid firearms innovation, Marston was clearly on the right track, but his name has been somewhat forgotten in favor of other designs, inventors and brands that ultimately gained more traction. Names like Walter Hunt and his rocket ball ammunition, Oliver Winchester, Smith & Wesson, Sharps and Spencer simply outran him. Much more may be read about Marston’s career and firearms development from L.D. Eberhart’s work on the subject, a 30 page copy of which will be included with this firearm and posted on my ’s blog.
This rifle features an eye-catching bird’s eye maple stock. There was never a provision for a forearm hand guard. The frame, hammer and butt plate are each engraved. The serial number “11” appears on the underside of the frame, just forward of the trigger. The left side of the frame is marked “W.W.MARSTON PATENTED 1850 NEW-YORK”. “J.PERCY” is stamped twice upside down just opposite the percussion nipple. This could be a retailer or agent. The barrel is 28 inches and round. Both the rear and front sight are adjustable in their dovetail.
This specimen is in very good condition. The barrel is an even brown, while the frame, hammer, lever, trigger and butt plate wear a lighter gray patina. Engraving and markings are clear and legible. The bird’s eye maple stock is in fine condition with lots of figure. The bore is in very good condition, probably thanks to the “self-cleaning” ammunition that it used. The action is fine. Own one of the best and rarest.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction. No other examples currently found worldwide!
Barrel is 28 inches in length.
Caliber: .54 percussion
Bore is in very good, clean condition. The firing mechanism is fine.
Overall condition as seen in photos.
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ancestryguns
$7000
#10329
SOLD
Antique: Yes