doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Peabody Single Shots?

What can you tell me about these guns? I can only find the basics, made in Providnece, mostly 45 & 50cal. Peabody rimfires excepting some military configurations.

How do they compare to other BPMC rifles of the era? Can they be reconfigured for centerfire cartridges?

Know nothing about them but the basics and have a line on one in good condition.


Going rate for a good condition example of a plain gun, not one of the sporting upgrades?


Thanks, Rob

Hi Rob ---- I have one in 41 Swiss centerfire. It was a centerfire but was altered for caenterfire by a smith I know. What is the owner asking for it ?

These rifles were used by many countries and eventually were altered by a Swiss named Martini to the hammerless mod called the Peabody Martini. They were accurate as any of the period but are rare to find today in decent shape --- Mine has a mint bore.

Give me a call if you wish and we can discuss it --- as usual, I'll be in the shop. Ken

Well, to start with they are uglier...


The rifle is the invention of Henry O. Peabody and dates back to the 1860s. It is basically a side lock Martini action. More accurately, the Martini is a box locked Peabody. Martini patented a striker fired modification to the Peabody action and somehow his name stuck.

Actually, I believe most of the Peabody rifles were centerfire. They were adopted by the State of Conneticut, and Canada bought a lot of them as well. If I recall correctly the Turkey adopted the rifle for their army and was a highly regarded battle weapon.

As for value, that is tough. Yours being a rimfire it is undoubtedly an early post Civil War gun and, depending on its condition and configuration may have collector's value. If not a particularly special piece I would guess, from what I have seen in the past, that it would sell for about $1000, plus or minus $200. Probably on the lower side being a rimfire. You will find them for sale on some of the web sites and you should be able to find something comparable.

I have never examined a rimfire Peabody block, but I expect it could be converted to centerfire. However, if you want a shooter you would probably be better served to start with a centerfire action. It would be cheaper in the long run.

Glenn

The Peabody in 10.4X38mm (.41 Swiss) is an excellent round and may be loaded with approx. 40 grains of 3F blackpowder, or with one of the suitable smokeless powders. Brass may be had from Buffalo Arms and centerfire breechblocks could be had at Dixie Gunworks for $15 a few years ago. They are all gone now. If it's a rimfire the conversion of the breechblock is simple for a machinest, but the firing pin is the trick. They are wonderful little rifles and mine was good to 200 yards.

eeb, what town in Va. do you live in ? I spent much of my life there. Do you still have that Peabody ? Ken --Kenhurst@suddenlink.net

Hello Rob.

Worked on a Peabody Conn rifle for a fellow in lower Westchester a while back. Had an opportunity to fire it as welland not a bad rifle at all. If I was building a sporter I would consider it.
Always liked martinis and hey, it has a hammer.
As for centerfire conversions, I agree with Glenn. May not be cost effective but the people on the Martini forum may be able to help you with that.

http://p223.ezboard.com/MartiniHenry-Forum/fbritishmilitariaforumsfrm1

A while back they had one in the shop on 82 for around $1200 as I recall.

Tom

Thanks Ken & Glen,

haven't seen the gun yet so not sure if it's a rimfire or centerfire. But looking at the pictures I see a ramrod, did they make muzzleloaders?

That would be a cleaning rod, not a ramrod. The Peabody actually was #1 in the trials for a breech loading rifle following the War Between the States as I recall. The Springfield was picked because it could be converted from existing rifled muskets & just perhaps the fact that it's designer, Erskin Allen was a Springfield Armory employee may have had some influence, reckon??
Peabody also had a design & patent I believe on a hammerless model but most folks weren't quite ready for it just yet. It is a somewhat sad story, that on the majority of guns built of his basic design, his name was completely eliminated, Martini taking first place & then Henry for the rifling.

OK, cleaning rod. Was the chambering stamped anywhere on the gun?


Thanks, Rob

Rob:

Nice looking rifle. I would like to have one like that to compete in military rifle matches. I cannot tell from the pictures if it is a c/f or not. It looks just like the one I have here that is chambered in .45-70. Then again, you seen one Peabody you seen them all. <g>

I just dug out the one that is here in the shop and there is no caliber designation on it that I could find. I even looked under the forend.

There is some information in DeHass' "Single Shot Rifles and Actions", and there is also in one or more of Grant's books. I'll have a look at Grant's books and let you know.


Glenn