^Lot 5074 JACOB'S 1861 PATENT "JACOB'S RIFLES" COMBINATION

GUN. Cal. 55/63. NSN. This rare British double-barrel rifle was designed by Brigadier-General John Jacob (1812-1858) and produced by Swinburn & Son of Birmingham. Shortly before his death in 1858, Jacob ordered 900 of these rifles, which were issued to his regiment, the Jacob's Rifles Battalion. They remained in use for a short period after his death before being replaced by the British standard pattern. Some were later sold as surplus and used in the American Civil War. Chaplain Lorenzo Barber of the Berdan Sharpshooters is documented to have carried a Jacob's rifle with "one barrel loaded with buckshot and the other with a solid projectile". This is a monster of a gun, over 10 pounds, 40.5" overall, 24" side by side heavy .55" 4-groove rifled and 16ga (.63") heavy wall smoothbore barrels. Combination folding 3-leaf and adjustable long-range rear sight, "SWINBURN & SON / PATENT / 1861" marked locks, "JACOBS RIFLES" engraved on patch box. Patch box contains 3 of the unique winged lead projectiles that fit the Jacob's patent 4-groove bore, examples have been excavated in Civil War sites. Rifle fitted with wide barrel band fitted with sling swivel, rear sling swivel rear of trigger-guard, unique swelled ramrod with asymmetric head. CONDITION: very good to fine, complete and original, was not disassembled to locate S#, theoretically they are numbered 1-900. Rifle retains traces of original blue on barrel, strong traces of case colors on locks, breech, and hammers. Stock is fine, minor cosmetic dings & dents. Rear sling swivel has been tightened by paper shim, otherwise rifle mechanically is fine, both bores are bright and shiny. (01-28826/JS). $4,000-6,000.