H & C DANIELS BREECHLOADING UNDERHAMMER RIFLE

H & C Daniels Breechloading Underhammer Rifle

Thanks to our friend, Terry, from down under in Oz for pointing us to this very rare underhammer rifle. This is about as rare as they get, folks. Clicking on the photos will enlarge them for detailed viewing. Clicking the Back button will return you to the text.

The rifle is for sale and featured by Collectors Firearms of Houston, Texas www.collectorsfirearms.com  who were so gracious to allow us to share this rifle with our readers. If you are interested in this rarity, you can call them, toll free at (877) 214-9327. Be sure to tell them that you saw it on The Underhammer Society page.

The Daniels is certainly a very rare prototype underhammer rifle. Obviously, it is a breachloading design and was manufactured by C.B. Allen for the patent holder,  H&C Daniels of Chester, Connecticut. 

The top of the receiver is equipped with a hinged trapdoor with a removable steel cartridge that is fitted with a percussion nipple. The cartridge would be loaded with the nipple pointed downward into a corresponding hole in the bottom of the chamber where it could be struck by the upward swinging hammer. It appears that the wedge-shaped projection on the bottom of the door would force the cartridge into tight union with the bore thereby providing a better gas seal of the chamber.

Armed with several loaded cartridges at the ready, the owner of the Daniels rifle would be a rather formidable opponent.  

The top of the trapdoor is marked "H & C DANIELS / PATENT / CHESTER / CONN" and at the breech with an eagle over "C.B. Allen" in the center. 

Unfortunately, I was unable to get any other information regarding caliber and condition of the bore. However, if you are a serious contender for this fine piece of firearms curiosa, you can call for the details.

Photos copyright by Collectors Firearms

Thanks, again, Terry, as this is definitely a rare find.

Cheers!



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Salvador Dali Underhammers?

As one who considers himself an artistic sort, I really appreciate others who can skillfully color outside of the lines, too. Robert Worthington is just such an artist. When he discovered the joys of making underhammers he jumped in with both feet and never looked back!

Bob has agreed to share some of his underhammer work with us through the following photos. You will instantly recognize his flare for uniqueness in design.

Clicking on the photos below will provide a closer look at Bob's work. Clicking the Back arrow will return you to the text.

Here's Bob's story:

I've been shooting and building muzzle loaders for a while, and started making underhammer pistols about 5 years ago. I had put together a kit for my son a few years before, and was intrigued by the simplicity and speed of ignition. There were some aspects of that particular piece I didn't like, however, and when I came across the Billinghurst action offered by Muzzle Loader Builder's Supply, www.muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com (as seen below with my improvements) I decided to try one myself. 

Using the hammer, trigger, trigger bar, and mainspring, I fabricated my own breech collar and turned it into a pistol using a standard threaded breech plug. I've made a bunch of these now, from .32 to .50, with barrels from 8" to 12", and have also made a .40 schuetzen rifle with an Ed Rayl barrel using this action. 

I'm now working on another schuetzen, using the Allan Foundry action; a .36 with a 38" Isaac Haines-style barrel from Green Mountain. This is my personal rifle, with a fixed palm rest to accomodate my messed up shoulder, and cheek piece on both sides so I can shoot when my right eye gives me trouble. 

I call the rifle, "Salvador Dali gets a day job as a gunmaker," or "Flash Gordon enters the 19th century."  I'm also working on a "target model" pistol, with adjustable sights and trigger. 

 

 One of Bob's underhammer pistols.

Yeah, I shoot 'em all, including cartridges, but the underhammer is the real deal! 

~ Bob Worthington

Bob also does an expert job of inlaying silver wire, mother of pearl and other semi-precious materials as part of the embellishment of his work. More photos of Bob's work can be seen at www.greyhavenarms.com.

I must also compliment Bob for choosing to utilize a half-cock safety notch when setting up the hammer and

trigger of his firearms.

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Thanks, Bob, for giving us a glimpse into your world.

Keep up the great work.

All photos copyrighted by Robert Worthington

If you have an underhammer project or story that you would like to share with us, please feel free to contact me at: underhammers@safe-mail.net and we can discuss it.

Cheers!

Roger

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