Guns International #: 103052868

Category - Whitney Rifles - Antique Rifles - Single Shot

Category
Whitney Rifles
Antique Rifles - Single Shot

 EARLY AND EXTREMELY RARE WHITNEY-LAIDLEY ROLLING BLOCK IN DESIRABLE .45-70 CALIBER

Description:
 EARLY AND EXTREMELY RARE WHITNEY-LAIDLEY ROLLIGBLOCK IN DESIRABLE .45-70 CALIBER, #9XXX, MADE 1870s. This is an extremely scarce western used rifle of which not many were made in the big "Buffalo Calibers." Most of this Sporting and Target Model were in .32, .38, or 44 Rimfire caliber with other small center fire calibers offered. Relatively few of the approximately 5,000 that were manufactured between 1871-1881 were in large center fire calibers and this is the first I've encountered in .45-70. The 30" octagon barrel is marked on the top flat ahead of the receivere ".45 CAL C.F." I checked this one and a .45-70 cartridge chambers correctly. Fine even  barrel blue that has aged somewhat dull. Uncleaned mottled gray/brown receiver. Fine stock and forend showing only normal handling with tight wood to metal fit and a little honest saddle wear to the bottom of the forend. lMatching serial number on the barrel and receiver. All correct markings. Rear sight looks to be of the folding ladder type with the ladder part broken or removed so that it is now only the small buckhorn. Front sight appears to be the original blade. Tight action, strong safety half-cock, correct steel forend cap. Interesting action that is actually better than the Remington style. This action has three clicks. Remington has only two. The first click has the action locked closed, the second allows the action to be opened for loading, but the hammer will not fall until the third click. With the Remington Sporting Rifles, once the gun is loaded it is ready to be fired unless the hammer is manually lowered to half-cock. The bore is fairly bright and excellent with sharp rifling all the way through and any corrosion too minor to mention. This is a rare rifle in a great caliber. 

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .45-70 Government
Manufacturer: WHITNEY
Model: LAIDLEY
Serial Number: 9XXX
Barrel Length: 30" OCT.
Condition: FINE
Bore Condition: EXCELLENT

Price: $3,250.00