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Hold onto your hats, history buffs and firearm fanatics-prepare to be dazzled by the wild tale of a mid-19th-century treasure we encountered: a .36 caliber percussion-cap rifle with a mind-bending rotating drum breech mechanism, likely forged around 1852 under a mysterious “INDIAN C.” (Indian Contract) for Native American use!
Detailed assessment and photos: Firearm Battlecard
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This beauty boasts a sleek octagon barrel, a non-magnetic brass or bronze buttplate and frame glowing with golden patina, and a single-chamber drum spinning on a 1.95-inch pivot—chambered for a .36 -inch bore—to load and fire with percussion-cap precision. Markings like “PATENT,” “APPLIED FOR,” “1852,” and serials like “691,” “No. 109,” “RF1 104,” “RF1 155,” “70” with “Q,” and a cryptic “+” scream experimental genius, possibly tied to American legends like Christian Sharps or Edward Maynard.
But here’s the kicker—could the rotating drum and the faint rifling we spotted in the barrel (pending a gentle clean) hint at a cutting-edge prototype? With its rugged wear, patina, and a buttplate access panel hiding “RF1 155,” this rifle includes tales of frontier adventures, U.S. government contracts, and uncharted innovation.
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We’re diving deep into this rifle’s roots, but the hunt’s just getting started—join me on this thrilling quest! Could “RF” stand for Sharps’ “Rifle Factory,” Maynard’s mark, or a forgotten contractor? Is “104” or “155” a serial unveiling a hidden batch? The yellowish “INDIAN C.” on the buttstock begs for clues in U.S. Patent Office records from 1852, Indian Contract archives, or firearms reference books like Flayderman’s Guide.
Check out the full raw data points as we continue to learn and update them: JCastaway Battle Card for every gritty detail—measurements, photos, and mysteries galore!
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If you unearth a lead on the gunmaker (e.g., Sharps, Maynard, or a shadowy U.S. contractor), send your findings to JCastaway, and snag an exclusive JCastaway shirt as your bounty reward. Let’s crack this enigma together—this rifle’s too cool to stay a secret!
Please email us at smith (at) jcastaway.com or on x:
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Happy info hunting!
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