Only 1,000 of these rifles were manufactured by N. P. Ames c. 1841-1842, on a contract of 1841 for the U.S. Navy, with all of them delivered by 1844 according to "Flayderman's Guide" (9th Edition, 9B-064). Most of these Jenks rifles are known to be in .54 caliber with rifled bores and oval shaped loading apertures made to accept a paper cartridge rather than loose balls and powder, this scarce example has an original smoothbore that measures at .52 caliber and a round loading aperture. It has a square lug on the bottom of the muzzle for attaching the included angular type bayonet, blade front sight on the front barrel band, rear notch sight groove on the breech lever, "Wm. JENKS" and "USN/RP/P/1844" in front of the breech lever ahead of its round loading port. "15/33" on the underside of the lever. "Wm JENKS" and "N.P. AMES/SPRINGFIELD/MASS" marked on the lock. Oval bordered "RP" and "JL" script letter cartouches stamped on the left side of the stock. Includes a rare Jenks Navy pattern bayonet marked "USN" along with "24" and "P" on the socket. The consignor indicated this rifle was purchased from Jim Richardson in June 1975. Provenance: The Jim Richardson Collection; Private Collection

Good, with artificially applied brown on the barrel, some scattered light pitting and some dings, strong traces of case colors visible on the lock, hammer and breech lever, golden aged patina on the brass fittings, and crisp markings in the iron. Stock is also good as sanded and re-oiled, with scattered light dents and scratches, a repaired split in the wrist with some re-glued cracks visible, and legible cartouches. Mechanically fine. Bayonet is also very good.