Original British Victorian .40cal Rotating Breech Sporting Rifle by Clarke of Leicester - circa 1870

Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very interesting Victorian Era British Sporting rifle, which utilizes a "rotating breech" system of a configuration that we have not really seen before. It features a "box lock" type action with a hammer on the right side, however this is just used to cock the gun, as there is a firing pin inside of the action. There is a lever under the fore stock with a latch, which when swung out to the side, rotates the breech block sideways, for loading, though we are not sure exactly what type of cartridge would be used, as there is not much room for any type of rim on the cartridge. It would also not have a very large powder load at all unless this is the type of system where the bullet would be rammed in from the front. Definitely a very interesting gun!

It looks to have been made by Clarke of Leicester, which existed in various forms from 1832 onward, when it was first founded by Edward Clarke, who went into business with his brother James. In 1860, Edward passed away, and the business was taken over by his wife Louisa, and became Louisa Clarke & Son. This is assumed to have been Charles Clarke, who would then ten years later open his own firm in Andover. An 1871 census has Louisa and Henry Clarke Sr. at the shop, and after her passing in 1876, Henry Sr. took over, after which the company really took off. During the late 19th and 20th centuries the company would continue to grow and innovate, finally closing in 1963.

The rifle shows an extremely high level of artistry, with the action fully engraved on all sides, and the stock wood being lovely curly walnut. The top of the barrel is marked:

CLARKE. LEICESTER.

while the top of the rotating breech is marked:

IMPROVED
PATENT RIFLE

The gun has a 29 1/2 inch long octagonal barrel with a bore of approximately .40", and measures 47 inches in overall length. It definitely looks to be a sporting or perhaps target gun, and is not fitted with any type of sling attachment points. The barrel is definitely spiral forged, which means that the barrel was forged using twisted pieces of metal, clearly visible when the fore stock is removed. Many gun barrels of the 19th century were made from nails, stubs, chains, and even horseshoes, as the wear and use of these items resulted in superior barrels when they were forged and twisted.

The bottom of the barrel under the fore stock bears the correct proof marks from the Birmingham Gun Company proofhouse, including the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "proof" and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" marks. There are no additional markings we can see that would indicate the bore or further inspection. Given the type of action it used, it may not have been able to given some of the testing that was usually performed.

Overall condition is simply lovely, with much of the original finish retained on the action, while the barrel shows some past oxidation and peppering in a few areas, now cleaned away. Certainly a very interesting gun from the Victorian era, more than ready for further research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1870
Caliber: .40cal - Unknown Type
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 29 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 47 Inches
Action type: Side Action Locks
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

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