Wilsons Patent Breechloading Rifle
Object No. H9640
Rifle, Wilson's Patent Breech Loading Rifle, capping percussion, single shot, .577 calibre, metal / wood, designed by Thomas Wilson, Birmingham, maker unknown, England, 1860
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Summary
Physical Description
Rifle, Wilson's patent breechloader percussion, .577, metal / wood, England, 1860 This rifle features two bands, a side-hammer, lock-plate and hammer on the left side. Fixed sling rings - one on the butt, and one on the top barrel. Bayonet boss on right side of the barrel. The lock-plate is marked with the Queen's Crown, and dated 1860. The fixed rearsight is calibrated to 400 yards. Cleaning rod missing.
DIMENSIONS
Height
200 mm
Width
550 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Made in Britain by unknown maker, c. 1860.
HISTORY
Notes
The breech loading system of Thomas Wilson (British Patent 1318) was submitted for official examination by the Ordnance Select Committee in April 1860. The Wilson Patent made the short list, along with the Mont Storm, Westley Richards and the Snider. Although the Snider was adopted by the military, the Wilson went on to have some success commercially, particularly in the British colonies: South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. This type of rifle was used in Tasmania; however, this particular piece has no identifiable Tasmanian marks.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Warren Anderson, 1982
Acquisition Date
26 July 1982
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