Extremely Rare Prototype Robinson Model 1875 Single-Shot Rifle (Post-Adirondack Firearms Co.)

NSN, .42 RF, 22" octagon barrel with an about very good, lightly pitted bore.  This is a very interesting, finely crafted rifle built on Robinson’s May 25, 1875, patent.  The rifle has a unique falling block action mated to a cylindrical bolt and automatic ejector that propels the fired cartridge case out of an oblong port on the top of the receiver.  Opening the action via the finger-loop lever retracts the bolt, while simultaneously pushing the hammer to half-cock and causing the rounded ejector to flick upwards through a slot in the center of the sliding loading tray.  The brass receiver has an overall dull yellow-ochre receiver with finely executed New York scroll engraving on either side, while the barrel (which has inletting along the bottom for a never installed magazine tube in common with other Adirondack-made single-shots) features a rounded, ring-shaped crown at the muzzle which gives the rifle a slightly continental European appearance.  The barrel itself was left in-the-white, and now has a slightly mottled patina with thin surface freckling present throughout.  A German silver front sight blade is present, however the rear sight was removed leaving only the flat spring in the dovetail.  The walnut forend has a shaped pewter tip that conforms to the magazine tube inletting (in common with other Adirondack single-shots) and the buttstock has coarse checkering on either side of the straight wrist and a repair at the toe.  Despite the complete lack of markings, the rifle bears unmistakable hallmarks of Robinson’s previous designs and, after it was sold at auction in 2005, noted historian G. Scott Jamieson (author of "Bullard Arms" [1988]) contacted the seller with further information he had gleaned for a planned book on the Adirondack Firearms Co.  In his correspondence Jamieson stated, "The author believes this unmarked piece to be both a prototype and an investors' model; a prototype, because it bears no external markings and an investors' model because of the fine finish and engraving of the piece not seen on the other two production pieces.  It is very clearly the work of O.M. Robinson even though it is unmarked given that it follows his 1875 patent drawing outline to the 'letter' and the description of its' cartridge ejection system is identical to the patent claims made by Robinson.  The semi-circular barrel groove mentioned may have been to accommodate a half-length tubular magazine for a repeater that was never completed and instead the barrel was cut and utilized on this rifle.  It appears that unlike all of Robinson's earlier rifles the barrels of this model are screwed into their receivers, not pinned."  It is highly likely that, since the patent covering this design was granted after the sale of the Adirondack Firearms Co. to Winchester, Robinson may have been looking for investors willing to fund a new company manufacturing his more robust single-shot action.  In any event, this is a fascinating rifle and a great piece of New York firearms history.  It would make a stellar addition to any collection of late 19th century American arms.  Antique

Orville Moses Robinson was an upstate New York gunsmith and inventor who received three US patents for breech-loading and repeating firearms.  In 1870 Robinson, in partnership with A.S. Babbitt and two others, formed the Adirondack Firearms Co. to manufacture rifles based on his patents at their manufactory in Plattsburgh, NY.  The firm is known to have employed Daniel Wilkinson (possibly J.D. Wilkinson, another upstate New York gunmaker and inventor)) and Robinson’s son, William (who would’ve been about 10 years old at the formation of the company!)  Adirondack Firearms Co. operated until 1874, ultimately producing what is thought to be slightly fewer than 1,000 rifles of all types, when it was purchased by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. and permanently shut down.  The Adirondack Firearms Co., and Robinson’s repeating rifle designs, represent an interesting footnote in the then rapidly advancing field of repeating breechloading long guns.