Original U.S. Evans 1877 New Model .44 Caliber Repeating Carbine - 28 Round Magazine - Excellent Bore

Original Item: One Only. Manufactured by the Evans Rifle Manufacturing Company, Mechanic Falls, Maine

Invented by Warren R. Evans of Thomaston, Maine, the Evans Repeating Rifle was one of the most ambitious and mechanically fascinating firearms to emerge from the post–Civil War era. Production began in 1873 under the Evans Rifle Manufacturing Company of Mechanic Falls, Maine, but despite its ingenious design and advanced engineering, the company succumbed to the intense arms industry competition of the 1870s. Only about 15,000 Evans rifles and carbines were produced before the firm declared bankruptcy in 1879, leaving behind one of the most intriguing repeating rifles of the 19th century.

The Evans stood apart for its extraordinary 34-round tubular magazine ingeniously housed in the buttstock — a marvel of capacity for its time. If the Spencer was “the carbine you loaded on Sunday and shot all week,” the Evans could quite literally “shoot for a month.” Its unique Archimedean screw mechanism rotated four internal ammunition channels each time the lever was operated, automatically feeding a new round into the chamber.

Although it appeared destined for military adoption, field testing revealed that the system was susceptible to dust interference, preventing official acceptance. The original chambering was .44 caliber, firing a cartridge approximately one inch long, known as the .44 Evans Short.

Over its brief production run, the Evans design evolved through three main models familiar to collectors today:

Old Model – The earliest version, lacking a lower buttstock extension, which made the rifle difficult to aim comfortably.

Transitional Model – Introduced a revised buttstock and new buttplate for improved handling.

New Model – The final and most refined iteration, chambered for a more powerful .44 Evans Long (or “.44 New Model”) cartridge measuring 1½ inches in length. This change reduced magazine capacity from 34 to 28 rounds, but offered greater ballistic performance. The New Model also introduced a dust cover over the ejection port to prevent fouling — a key improvement addressing earlier reliability issues.

The majority of Evans repeaters encountered today are of the New Model pattern, including approximately 4,000 carbines produced.

This particular example is clearly marked on the barrel:
EVANS REPEATING RIFLE. MECHANIC FALLS, ME. PAT. DEC. 8, 1867 & SEPT. 16, 1871

Condition is truly exceptional for this rare carbine. The metal surfaces display a beautiful, untouched patina of age, with strong traces of original blue remaining on the barrel and a lovely smooth finish on the cast receiver. The walnut stocks exhibit the deep reddish-brown hue typical of aged, well-oiled wood, showing only light service wear including a few minor dings, chips, and small handling marks consistent with careful age and use.

Mechanically, this Evans functions beautifully. The action operates smoothly with a crisp dry fire, and the rotating magazine mechanism can be observed cycling perfectly through the ejection port. The loading door in the rear of the buttstock opens with a bit of effort, and the action exhibits minimal play — a rarity among surviving Evans repeaters, which are often known for finicky operation. The buttplate retains the partial serial number, beginning with the digit “2.”

The bore is outstanding — mirror bright with sharp lands and grooves, showing only the faintest evidence of past use. It is, without question, the finest bore we have ever encountered on an Evans carbine. The rear sight is complete with its sliding elevator, and the original front sight remains intact. Both sling swivels are present and fully functional.

We have handled only a handful of Evans repeaters over the decades, and this example stands out as the best we have ever offered. Combining historical importance, mechanical innovation, and outstanding preservation, this carbine represents a true landmark in American firearms development and an essential addition to any advanced collection of 19th-century U.S. arms or early repeating rifles.

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: 1870s
Caliber: .44 Evans "New Model"
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 21 inches
Overall Length: 39 1/2 inches
Action: Lever Action
Feed System: 28 Rotating Round Tube Magazine

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