Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The original Evans rifle, introduced in 1873 by dentist Warren R. Evans of Maine, represented an innovative approach to high-capacity lever-action design. This “Old Model” featured a unique Archimedean-screw magazine in the buttstock that could hold 28 rounds of proprietary .44 Evans Short ammunition. The first 500 rifles were distinctive for their exposed magazine tube with no lower buttstock, and early versions lacked a cocking lever retaining stud.
“One of approximately 1,050 manufactured from 1876-1877. These rifles were the only firearms mass produced in the state of Maine until the 20th Century. The Transitional Models show the same frame shape and characteristics as the Old Model such as the exposed loading port, while also having the additional lower buttstock piece which covers the magazine like on the New Models. It has a blade front and notch/folding ladder rear sights (missing ladder sight bar) with “EVANS REPEATING RIFLE MECHANIC FALLS ME/PAT DEC 8, 1868 & SEPT 16, 1871” marked between them. “1977” is marked on the left flat near the rear sight. It is mounted with the standard smooth forearm and two-piece buttstock with crescent buttplate. These rifles were very innovative for their time boasting a 34-shot revolving type magazine, putting their capacity far above that of their competitors. This is a solid example of a scarce and interesting rifle that would complement any collection of repeaters or American arms.”
Lot 3074: Scarce Evans Repeating Rifle Co. Old Model Sporting Rifle – Very Scarce Small Frame Evans Repeating Rifle Co. Transition Model Sporting Lever Action Rifle. (n.d.). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved January 29, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/76/3074/scarce-evans-repeating-rifle-co-old-model-sporting-rifle.
Writer | TheFirearmBlog
Writer | AllOutdoor.com Instagram | sfsgunsmith Old soul, certified gunsmith, published author, avid firearm history learner, and appreciator of old and unique guns.
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