quote:

The dang thing was mounted on a wall in my dad's study for like 40-years. A Peabody Rifle, which almost made it into Army trials in time for the Civil War.

My dad got it somehow as a kid back in 1950 and sent a letter to some gun magazine asking about it's origin and use.

Get this...

During the Army trials conducted in 1865 it was the only one of sixty-four breechloading rifles being evaluated to pass the final test, according to the letter my dad got back from the gun magazine.

Listen to this amazing description:

"It is interesting to note that of 64 breechloading firearms being evaluated by this board, tests reduced this number down to eight and finally to four. During these tests the arms were exposed to weather for 10 days, with daily drenchings of water to promote rust. The guns were left outdoors to become covered with ice and snow. Then they were quickly heated to a fairly high temperature so that all the muck was left intact."

"After this test only the Peabody and three other arms were left in the competition. Next they were tested for strength of action. A charge of 60-grains of black powder and three bullets, each weighing 450 grains, were loaded and fired. The charges were gradually increased to five bullets and 80 grains of powder. The Peabody was the only gun in the tests to survive the strain. Just to find out what would happen, five ounces of lead were fired in front of 120 grains of powder. The Peabody was not damaged and, needless to say, it was recommended for military service.