I spent my life savings on a Frank Wesson rimfire rifle!

[MikeInOr]

I found this rifle for a pretty exorbitant price at a local garage sale. I didn't know what it was but I knew I had to have it!

It is missing the barrel stop that limits how far the action will open when you break it open with the front trigger

It is also missing the front sling ring

As of 15 minutes ago I did not know the date of manufacture. It took about a dozen pictures varying the lighting and eventually resorting to a polarized filter I was able to capture this:

I couldn't read the stamp with a magnifying glass but my camera came through for me. A polarizing filter brought it out of the patina.

I don't know if 1859 qualifies it as civil war weapon or not? Does it have to be produced during the civil war to be a civil war weapon?

After a lot of begging and pleading I finally talked my mom into letting me buy this gun. I ran home and emptied my piggy bank that had $6+ all in change. I think the price on this toy gun was $10 but the seller gave me a deal. For two days I had the coolest toy gun on the block UNTIL... I showed it to my father who felt it was not an appropriate play toy (he knew enough to know it was a "REAL" gun).

But in the end my father came through for me. The next weekend "We" built a gun rack out of wood and hung this "REAL" gun in my bedroom. I didn't get to take it outside but I got something better... bragging rights for owning a REAL gun!

My recollection is this was about 1976 when I was 8 years old. It spent some time in my parents attic when I moved out but eventually made it's way back to me. A few years ago I was able to identify it as a "Wesson" rifle but just recently discovered it to be a "Frank Wesson" rifle. I initially thought it was a pin fire but later found it is a rim fire. 30 minutes ago I discovered the build date as I mentioned above.
EDIT: Evidently Oct 25 1891 is the patent date and these rifles weren't stamped with a build date or serial number.

I have no clue what it is worth. I am not looking to sell so if anyone would like to give me an "Antiques Roadshow" guestimate value I would enjoy the guesses.

This is the best video I found explaining the history of this rifle:

The Kittredge Marked Frank Wesson Civil War Cavalry Carbine

Informational Video by Rafael Eledge of ShilohRelics.com about The Kittredge Marked Frank Wesson Civil War Cavalry Carbine

www.youtube.com

 

[Roverguy]

That’s really cool. I’ve never seen one before.

 

[Lo-Profile]

Very cool .... No, extremely cool

 

[kidneyboy]

Cool rifle and a well told story!

 

[Nasty Canasta]

Cool rifle! Looks like 1859 was the patten date & they were made up to 1888

Frank Wesson's Rimfire Carbine

First patented in 1859 and sold as a sporting rifle before the Civil War (in calibers 32, 38, and 41 rimfire), Frank Wesson added a military model with a 24 ...

www.youtube.com

 

[ironworkerwill]

Very cool! My grandfather said his uncle gave him a Enfield rifle as a boy. He said he remembered it to be in fair condition when he got it but he really mistreated it as it was thought to be basically junk at the time. The family were farm workers that moved a lot between the deep south states and eventually lost it in a move.

 

[Speedo66]

I see it was made in Cincinnati.

We usually think of New England as the original firearms producing center, but in the 1850’s Cincinnati was about 50% German immigrants, with lots of their machining expertise.

Still much German influence there, they hold the biggest Octoberfest outside of Munich.

Cool rifle!

 

[Steve S.]

When I served as an Infantry Sargent with the 24th Virginia at Gettysburg, I carried one just like it. Wait a minute, I was way off - I wasn’t even born yet!

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Frank Wesson was the brother of Daniel Baird Wesson of Smith and Wesson fame. These rifles were made in .22, .32, .38, and 44 rimfire. Because of condition, your rifle might be in the $250 - $300 range depending on bore condition and if the action functions. Regardless of value, it is a really neat rifle and you did very well. Enjoy it! Very well written story of how you got it, too.

 

[MikeInOr]

Cool rifle! Looks like 1859 was the patten date & they were made up to 1888

Frank Wesson's Rimfire Carbine

First patented in 1859 and sold as a sporting rifle before the Civil War (in calibers 32, 38, and 41 rimfire), Frank Wesson added a military model with a 24 ...

www.youtube.com

I watched this video before I was able to read the stampings on the rifle. Now that I can mostly read the stampings I know my rifle is one manufactured for Kitteridge that was frequently sold to various state militias during the civil war. I will make an assumption that this means my rifle was quite possibly used in the civil war. (Thanks for posting the link).

I know my rifle is pretty rough but some how over the years I have resisted the urge to clean it up. I will, of course, leave it in its current condition... even though it would be easy to make a replica barrel break open limit piece.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I watched this video before I was able to read the stampings on the rifle. Now that I can mostly read the stampings I know my rifle is one manufactured for Kitteridge that was frequently sold to various state militias during the civil war. I will make an assumption that this means my rifle was quite possibly used in the civil war. (Thanks for posting the link).

I know my rifle is pretty rough but some how over the years I have resisted the urge to clean it up. I will, of course, leave it in its current condition... even though it would be easy to make a replica barrel break open limit piece.

Out of curiosity, do you know what caliber it is?

 

[MikeInOr]

Out of curiosity, do you know what caliber it is?

I am going to say it is a 44. My calipers are all the way out int the shop but a 45 projectile slips in the muzzle part way. A 45acp round does not slip into the chamber but a 45 cal projectile easily goes into the chamber. Hence I am pretty sure it is a 44.

I was curious myself but didn't get the energy to go out to the shop yet.
.
Interesting: the 44 Wesson round was used in handguns and rifles. Making this an OG PCC.

P.S. it has a 24" over all barrel length which the Forgotten Weapons video said is a typical calvary carbine length for this rifle.

 

[Bazoo]

Wow, that's really neat. Thanks for sharing the gun and story.