Very Unusual H&C Daniels Breech-Loading .40 Under Hammer Rifle (AL5231)

Very Unusual H&C Daniels Breech-Loading .40 Under Hammer Rifle (AL5231)
Price: $5,450.00
Item Number:
AL5231

Very unusual H&C Daniels breech-loading .40 under hammer rifle. Patented in 1838 (U.S. Patent 610, February 15, 1838), the H&C Daniels breech loading pistols and rifles were manufactured by C.B. Allen in Springfield, MA. Allen operated between 1836 and 1841. He also produced the Navy Elgin Cutlass pistol and the Cochran turret pistol and rifle. The removable steel cartridge is fitted with a percussion nipple, and one is present with this rifle. This cartridge system allowed for cartridges to be preloaded, so they were ready for rapid loading and firing. The cartridges were unique to each Daniels firearm and were not interchangeable. This rifle is 47½” in overall length. The 29” octagon barrel has a fine rifled bore. The cartridge adds another 2”. The barrel and action have a smooth brown patina. The stocks are very good with usage dents and one small chip at the top right of the forearm. The top of the trapdoor is marked “H&C Daniels/ Patent/ Chester/ Conn”, and the breech has an eagle over “C.B. Allen”. The top of the receiver has a hinged trapdoor which opens so the cartridge can be inserted. The cartridge is loaded with the nipple pointing downward into a hole in the bottom of the chamber where it would be struck by the upward swinging hammer. The bottom of the action has a sliding hammer safety. The ramrod and two sling swivels are present. The action functions correctly. The serial number of this rifle is “6”. Henry and Charles Daniels also made an under-hammer percussion turret rifle which bears a striking resemblance to this rifle. A copy of the patent and display documentation accompany this rifle. This is a very unusual rifle with its self-contained breech-loading “cartridge”. If you collect early percussion breech loading rifles, this one is for you!

Interested in selling or trading? Let us know!

Prefer to contact us directly? Check out our Contact Page.
Find out more about who we are.

Want to know more? Just ask!

Prefer to contact us directly? Check out our Contact Page.
Find out more about who we are.