54-Bore (.42 caliber). 22" octagonal barrel. SN: 21505 (mfg. ca. 1865). Blued finish, iron furniture, checkered walnut straight grip stock with shotgun butt. Double action percussion revolving rifle built on Tranter's 4th Model action with an unfluted five chambered cylinder, Kerr style loading lever, two leaf rear sight, peppercorn cone front sight, cylinder locking safety lever on right rear of frame and sling rings on the barrel and in the toe of the stock. Lower left side of receiver with two-line "TRANTER'S / PATENT" cartouche, with the landing lever marked in the same way. The llower right of frame is engraved with the serial number "No 21505T." Topstrap is unmarked. The barrel and cylinder are both marked with post-1813 Birmingham commercial proof marks. As with most revolving rifles, there is no forend, and the front face of the triggeguard is extended to provide an off-hand grip as the potential for chain fires makes placing the off hand forward of the cylinder dangerous.

William Tranter was one of the leading inventors and producers of revolvers in England during the mid-19th century and like his primary rival Robert Adams produced a limited number of long arms based upon his revolver designs. These guns were not major successes in England, but acquired a small and devoted following amongst the frontiersman in places like Australia and New Zealand and a few were imported to the United States as well. Due to their relatively low production and the fact that they were most popular on the other side of the International Date Line these guns are extremely scarce on the American collector market and are quite desirable. {ANTIQUE}

Very Good as refinished. Bore about fine, mostly bright with some oxidation, minor dirt and fine rifling. Metal with nearly all of an old, hot blued finish that still shows traces of the original Damascus patterned finish on the barrel. Markings slightly weak from polishing prior to refinishing, but remain mostly legible. Rifle is mechanically functional. Wood very good, with crisp checkering, showing some added finish and with some scattered bumps, dings and mars from handling and use.