Hello one and all,
I have an odd mystery involving the Connecticut NG Peabody rifles. I just purchased a rifle at an online auction. This prompted me to purchase Edward Hull's excellent reference book "Peabody Firearms". A wonderful resource filled to the brim with photos and details about the various Providence Tool rifles, including the Peabody Martini (obligatory Martini content satisfied).
I had assumed it would be in 45-70 caliber, but that round will not fit in the chamber. I am now awaiting the arrival of examples of the special Winchester cartridge and a contemporary Spanish cartridge for comparison, but it appears that this rifle was not converted in the 1877 conversion transaction referenced in the book. I have not yet done a chamber cast.
Hull speaks of an order for 2000 of the Spanish model in .433 Peabody caliber, followed by a factory conversion 6-7 years later of the entire inventory to .45-70. But my rifle appears to have been left behind. It has the CT plate instead of a rear sling mount and no front sling mount. The barrel has 3 groove rifling. The rear sight appears to match the Spanish Model version instead of the CT swap for a new sight in 1878.
The rifle has substantial surface rust that will leave serious pitting when removed. It is otherwise in very good functional condition. The action is smooth and crisp. The hammer and trigger function properly aside for some slop in the trigger take up. The break is stiff but clean. The wood is in surprisingly good condition with no chips or cracks. The butt has what appears to be a varnish finish with the fore-stock being oiled.
Under the fore-stock I find receiver and barrel have matching numbers. 101218. I have not gone any further yet in tearing it down so I have no idea what I will find inside.
The butt medallion on the bottom is steel and is marked "CONN" with the number "360" under the State abbreviation.
My intent is to restore the rifle and obtain or load ammunition so it can rejoin the ranks of active shooters.
Any information and/or advice you can share would be greatly appreciated. Of course the burning question here is...have I fallen into a very rare specimen?
Thanks in advance
I have an odd mystery involving the Connecticut NG Peabody rifles. I just purchased a rifle at an online auction. This prompted me to purchase Edward Hull's excellent reference book "Peabody Firearms". A wonderful resource filled to the brim with photos and details about the various Providence Tool rifles, including the Peabody Martini (obligatory Martini content satisfied).
I had assumed it would be in 45-70 caliber, but that round will not fit in the chamber. I am now awaiting the arrival of examples of the special Winchester cartridge and a contemporary Spanish cartridge for comparison, but it appears that this rifle was not converted in the 1877 conversion transaction referenced in the book. I have not yet done a chamber cast.
Hull speaks of an order for 2000 of the Spanish model in .433 Peabody caliber, followed by a factory conversion 6-7 years later of the entire inventory to .45-70. But my rifle appears to have been left behind. It has the CT plate instead of a rear sling mount and no front sling mount. The barrel has 3 groove rifling. The rear sight appears to match the Spanish Model version instead of the CT swap for a new sight in 1878.
The rifle has substantial surface rust that will leave serious pitting when removed. It is otherwise in very good functional condition. The action is smooth and crisp. The hammer and trigger function properly aside for some slop in the trigger take up. The break is stiff but clean. The wood is in surprisingly good condition with no chips or cracks. The butt has what appears to be a varnish finish with the fore-stock being oiled.
Under the fore-stock I find receiver and barrel have matching numbers. 101218. I have not gone any further yet in tearing it down so I have no idea what I will find inside.
The butt medallion on the bottom is steel and is marked "CONN" with the number "360" under the State abbreviation.
My intent is to restore the rifle and obtain or load ammunition so it can rejoin the ranks of active shooters.
Any information and/or advice you can share would be greatly appreciated. Of course the burning question here is...have I fallen into a very rare specimen?
Thanks in advance
