William Billinghurst of Rochester, New York, was one of the most famous firearms makers of his day. Billinghurst produced pill lock and percussion revolving rifles on the Miller patent. This particular rifle is a pill lock. Very tiny pills containing the fulminate are retained in small receptacles in the cylinder by use of bees wax. The seven-shot cylinder is rotated manually by releasing the latch located in front of the finely serrated cylinder, which was done for an easier grip. German silver post front and fixed notch rear sights are on a part octagon barrel marked "W. BILLINGHURST" towards the breech end. The casehardened lock, upper tang and hammer feature a floral motif engraving. Mounted on a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a pewter end cap, single barrel wedge, a brass spacer at the frame, and brass scroll type trigger guard and buttplate. Complete with a wooden ramrod. At least fifteen gunsmiths made the revolving rifle under the Miller patent and it's estimated that only a few hundred were produced. Provenance: Gillespie collection.

Fine. Overall, the rifle has strong traces of blue with the balance a smooth dark brown patina. There is flash type pitting on the action components. The wood is fine with a sizeable chip missing near the barrel wedge (left side) and some minor-moderate dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.