A Rare Triplett & Scott M1865 Rimfire Rifle. 46” overall, 30” round .50 three groove rifled barrel, blade fore sight & ladder rear sight, right side of rotating action body with locking release catch and spur hammer. Stamped "MERIDEN MANFG CO. / MERIDEN CONN", and on the left "KENTUCKY", action tang marked "TRIPLETT & SCOTT / PATENT DEC. 6, 1864’. Two piece walnut stock, short fore end with single spring retained band, iron mounted butt containing seven round tubular magazine and fitted with a sling swivel.
In very good condition, much original finish, mint bore, lacking one sling swivel.
Circa 1865 No 4572
The Triplett & Scott features an interesting action, the butt houses a tubular magazine that protrudes through the front of the butt on the left side of the action. Depressing a locking lever on the frame allows the barrel to twist in a circular motion and come in line with the magazine thus accepting a cartridge. A contract for 5000 Triplett & Scott was made in January 1865 with the State of Kentucky to arm 5000 State Guard troops mustered to protect the supply lines of the union army under General Sherman then engaged in the Atlanta campaign. Of the 5000 ordered 3000 were made with a 30in. barrel and 2000 with 22in. barrels.