H & C DANIELS BREECHLOADING UNDERHAMMER RIFLE

H & C Daniels Breechloading Underhammer Rifle

Thanks to our friend, Terry, from down under in Oz for pointing us to this very rare underhammer rifle. This is about as rare as they get, folks. Clicking on the photos will enlarge them for detailed viewing. Clicking the Back button will return you to the text.

The rifle is for sale and featured by Collectors Firearms of Houston, Texas www.collectorsfirearms.com  who were so gracious to allow us to share this rifle with our readers. If you are interested in this rarity, you can call them, toll free at (877) 214-9327. Be sure to tell them that you saw it on The Underhammer Society page.

The Daniels is certainly a very rare prototype underhammer rifle. Obviously, it is a breachloading design and was manufactured by C.B. Allen for the patent holder,  H&C Daniels of Chester, Connecticut. 

The top of the receiver is equipped with a hinged trapdoor with a removable steel cartridge that is fitted with a percussion nipple. The cartridge would be loaded with the nipple pointed downward into a corresponding hole in the bottom of the chamber where it could be struck by the upward swinging hammer. It appears that the wedge-shaped projection on the bottom of the door would force the cartridge into tight union with the bore thereby providing a better gas seal of the chamber.

Armed with several loaded cartridges at the ready, the owner of the Daniels rifle would be a rather formidable opponent.  

The top of the trapdoor is marked "H & C DANIELS / PATENT / CHESTER / CONN" and at the breech with an eagle over "C.B. Allen" in the center. 

Unfortunately, I was unable to get any other information regarding caliber and condition of the bore. However, if you are a serious contender for this fine piece of firearms curiosa, you can call for the details.

Photos copyright by Collectors Firearms

Thanks, again, Terry, as this is definitely a rare find.

Cheers!



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