Lot 66
A Treeby chain rifle, London, circa 1855
Fine Antique and Modern Firearms | A78s | Live auction | 627 Lots
Hammer price € 14,500
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Cal. 13 mm, Nr. 1552, Rifled barrel in 13 mm calibre, nearly bright bore with good rifling, the top with adjustable sighting. Elaborately mounted 14-round chain magazine, frame, frame bridge, and receiver finely engraved with scrolling leaves, engraved on the left with maker's mark "T.W. Treeby London" and number "1552". Laterally applied screw-on fire pan. Walnut stock with fine fish scale pattern, iron furniture. All iron parts patinated and slightly pitted. Length 99 cm.This unusual version of a repeating rifle was designed by T. W. Treeby in 1854 and was filed for patent application in 1855. In spite of its safe handling and precision in trials by the British army, the gun was turned down by the trial committee due to its highly complicated mechanism and some "teething trouble". Treeby was also unable to find buyers on the civilian market, thus it is very likely that only a small number of chain guns were produced for testing purposes.Condition:III + Questions about the lot?