Outstanding Cased Underhammer 2-Barrel Rifle Set
By Otis Churchill (1839-1860)
Albany, New York
Barrels marked..."O. Churchill / Albany" and "Remington"

Colonel Robert Gardner in his Small Arms Makers, lists Otis Churchill as a maker of percussion sporting rifles in Albany, New York from 1846 to 1859; in 1859 he was listed at 88 State Street. This case business card size label gives his address as 9 Beaver Place in Albany.

This magnificent piece is published and fully illustrated in The New York State Firearms Trade by H.J. Swinney compiled by Tom Rowe. See pages 387, 388, 389.

Both barrels have threaded breeches to allow interchangeability and are octagonal to round and are marked "O. Churchill / Albany" and "Remington". The rifle barrel, about .36-caliber, measures 24.5-inches and has fixed sights. The smoothbore barrel is about 28 gauge with a fine blade front sight and measures 24-inches in length.

The under-hammer action utilizes the trigger guard as a mainspring. A half-inch long threaded section with coarse thread engages the barrel breeches. The walnut rifle type stock has nice grain with a nickel silver crescent butt plate with toe piece. The right hand shooter's cheek-piece has an inlay of a reclining animal, perhaps a mountain lion, with the right side showing a large eagle over a riband.

Included are:

• A wrench that slips over the octagon section to tighten or loosen the barrels.
• Two molds are included: one is a single cavity round ball type with sprue cutter marked "88" and of about .36 caliber.
• The second casts a single picket type bullet of about .32 caliber.
• A plain unmarked flask with 3-position shotgun type spout.

The case with key is of walnut with dovetailed corners and measures 26 1/8 by 7 by 2.75-inches and includes the key. A very nice and unusual set by an extremely rare American maker. Overall very fine condition. Nicely pictured and described in the book of New York State gun makers.

308-53/B0157/MSSS

Price: $5,700

If you are interested in buying this item, please call (978) 597-8084 or email David Hillier at drh@aaawt.com or Aaron Littlefield at ajl@aaawt.com

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