Peabody Sidehammer

DaveF

I own a Peabody Sidehammer Martini military rifle in 45-70(confirmed by chamber cast) with a 33" barrel and patent date of July 22, 1862. It is overall in antique fine to excellent condition with lots of case colour on the receiver, and good bluing to the butt-plate, the hammer, receiver bottom, barrel etc., except for bluing wear on the barrel forward of the front barrel band. It is marked with a large 48 on the lower receiver plate ahead of the lever; a large 50 over F on top rear of the barrel; E A E, D over C, and W on side of barrel; 50 B 4 on rear barrel band; U on sides of both barrel bands. The bottom of the butt is marked CO B(?) 4, and there is a small steel plate with CONN over 224 inlet in the bottom. The wood is solid, the rifling good and I have shot the rifle with lead bullets and black powder. I can not find anything about a Connecticut 224 Militia or Regiment, which I guess the plate markings refer to and am looking for help from the experts. I would also appreciate an opinion as to the value of this neat old rifle. Thanks in advance, DaveF.

Iroquois Scout

Your rifle started life some time between 1865 and 1871 and was originally chambered for the .43 Spanish cartridge. This lot of 51,500 were to go to Spain, Mexico and France. With the largest number (33,000) to go to France. With the end of the Franco-Prussian war in 1871, France cancelled the contract and refused to pay for any of the rifles. This threw the Peabody Company into a panic. All that they could do was to drastically reduce the price of the rifles and try to sell them else where. They would only win three state contracts, those states were Connecticut, Massachusetts and South Carolinia, with a combined sale of less then 6,000 rifles, which left the company still looking for foreign sales. Canada was the only country to buy more then a few Peabody's and the Canadian's only bought 5,000 rifles. The rest were dumped on the civilian sporting market. Connecticut bought 2,000 rifles between 1871-1872. These rifles were still in caliber .43 Spanish. These rifles are marked Conn. along with the state serial number on the lower sling swivel plate. In 1877 the State of Connecticut contracted with Peabody to rebuild and refinish the rifles and rebarrel them to caliber .45-70. These rifles were then used from 1878-1896 when they were declared surplus and sold to Francis Bannerman of New York City who cut many down to carbine length to make them easier to sell, even then it took nearly 10 years to sell them all. In all original military configuration, with the 33 inch barrel and full stock forend fastened by two barrel bands, value will usually run between $500-$1,000. Hope that this is of some help to you. Scout

captkirk3@dslextreme.com

DAVEF; There's a pretty good write up on the Peabody and Peabody-Martini Rifles in FLADERMANN'S GUIDE to American Antiques...
The Outside Hammer Peabody Sporting Rifle and the Peabody-Martini Sporting and Target Rifles are both desirable collector items on todays Market..Designed by Henry O. Peabody, Boston, Mass., the rifle is seen in two basic types [a.] Outside hammer model,hinged breechblock; and hammerless design [European in appearance ], an improved design of the earlir side hammer developed by the Swiss inventor Friedrich von Martini.
Outside Hammer Peabody Sporting Rifles, Made c. 1866 to 1875/76. calibers .44 rimfire, 45-70 centerfire and several other Calibers...26" and 28" barrels are the average found...Heavier barrels are known and are worth a premium. They camr with a Varnished Walnut straight type sporting stocks, forend affixed by screw on underside. Select wood and checkered stocks are occasionally seen and care worth a premium..Some have the adjustable sporting type sights..Marked on the Frame is: PEABODY'S PATENT, JULY 22, 1862/MAN'FD BY PROVIDENCE TOOL CO., PROV.R.I....Value of these guns run from $1000.00 to $2500.00 in Very Good to Excellent Condition....
PEABODY-MARTINI SPORTING and TARGET RIFLES. Made c. 1875 to 1880's.
Various models; easily identified as model names are hand engraved in large, Gothic style letters almost entirely filling left side of the frame: PEABODY & MARTINI PATENTS. both sides of Frame are also edged in a simple hand engraved scroll border. Barrels all bear markings in single line: MANUFACTURED BY THE PROVIDENCE TOOL CO. PROVIDENCE R.I., U.S.A.
Data accumulated from a study of serial numbers indicates that less than 1,000 Peabody-Martini sporters were made.
The name "What Cheer" quite often associated with Pebody-Martini rifles and ammunition was used to honor a famous rifle and target range of that same name located a few miles from Providence, Rhode Island.
Tremendous quantities of Peabody-Martini Military rifles were also Manufactured, but are Rarely included in American Collections.Its believed that the majority of Military Rifles were made under Foreign Contracts with the majority going to England and Turkey... My Data base says that the Military Rifles are only Worth $450.00 to $750.00 in Very Good conditions in the military calibers....
The Peabody-Martini CREEDMORE was offered in the 44-100 and the 40-90 came in a Half Round and half Octagon Barrel in Very Good Condition is Worth $3000.00 to $5500.00........
The "WHAT CHEER" [inscribed on the left frame] with checkered straight grip stock...$2500.00 to $4500.00.......
The CREEDMORE MID RANGE [enscribed on the left frame] 40-70 and 40-90. with 28" barrel, Part Round and Part Octagon barrel. Vernier Tang Peep Sight; Windgauge front sight...$2000.00 to $4000.00 in Very Good Condition....
The WHAT CHEER MID-RANGE {engraved on left frame} Mid-range Creedmore rifle...In Very Good condition...$1750.00 to $3250.00
The KILL DEER {inscribed on the left frame}PEABODY-MARTINI came in 45-70 with 28" or 30" barrel 1/2 Round and 1/2 Octagon...Interchangable GLOBE and Peep Sights..Plain grip and Shotgun Buttplate...In Very Good Condition...$3500.00 to $5500.00
ROUGH AND READY {enscribed on the Left frame} sporting rifle caliber 45-70. 30" Round barrel..This is the Most elusive of all the PEABODY-MARTINIS....No Value has been placed on this Model due to its rarety....
As for the Letters and Numbers, can only surmise that they may be National Guard or Army Reserve or Possibly a Military School...?


Now you know as much as I do...Hope this information is of some help to you....best.....

Captain Kirk, Tech Staff

Iroquois Scout

While it is true that Peabody provided 600,000 rifles to the Turkish Government in three contracts between 1873-1882, They are a little different from your rifle in barrel length and other small details. Besides being marked in English they are also marked in Arabic. These rifles are also chambered for the .450 Peabody-Martini cartridge. This cartridge is a bottle necked cartridge that is shorter then the American .45-70, but it is larger in all other dimensions. The .45-70 would not chamber in a rifle ment for the .450 Peabody. Your rifle comes from the earlier group of 51,500 listed above. Turkey defaulted on their contracts and in 1882 the Peabody company went bankrupt.

DaveF

Iroquois Scout and Captain Kirk. Thank you gentlemen for your rapid and extremely comprehensive replies to my questions. This really is THE place to turn to for expert help. DaveF.