Got a nice single shot rolling block shotgun today, first I've ever seen of this make.  Dexter Smith is the maker, it's covered in DeHaas' first book.  This one is very good condition, excellent bore, perfect mechanics, crisp and clean.  I'm quite pleased with it.  It's about 40 away from the specimen in Frank's book.   

Unlike most of these antique shotguns, hasn't been shot to death and worn out.  Probably, because it was in 14 gage, the shells weren't available long enough to use it much!  It'll cost me a small fortune to get the shells for it.

This was an alternative rolling block design trying to get around remingtons patent.  The hammer doesn't block the breechblock closed, the trigger does.  When you pull the trigger, a cam locks the block.  So the block doesn't fall open while waiting for you to pull the trigger, there's another cam that also locks the block, controlled by the hammer.  Because of this, it's a clumsy action to operate.  You have to pull the hammer back, then release it and pull it back again to fully cycle the cams and allow the action to open.  Or, use two hands, pull down on the side lever as you pull the hammer back, there's a spot just before the hammer locks where the block will release.

Workmanship on this is incredibly complex, probably the main reason, along with it being clumsy, that not many were made.

Dave

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Well, that certainly is an interesting action concept. Seem like a fellow would have to be remarkably DEXTERous to be efficient operating it. All that tinkering to avoid a patent infringement. Wonder what they could have done if they'd started out from scratch looking for a new idea in a totally different direction. Congrats on the find.

Interesting and fun find. Enjoy your new toy.

I have a 20 ga but is a Remington. The stock was broken too badly at the wrist to be repaired but after mentioning it to George Peterson at Treebone he said he may just have one and would let me know. He called back and said he had one that would work and sold it to me at a "reduced" price as I had bought several stocks in the past. Nice fellow. Now all I have to do is get busy and install it...


JMH