Thanks for all the kind words about the Peabody.  Haven't shot it yet (Round Tuits have been scarce of late...   Soon!...) The sidehammer sporting rifles are  scarcer by far than Peabody-Martini sporters, which are estimated to number around 450.  In 35 years of looking for them, I've only acquired three.  Estimates run something under 100 total (I've heard "85" bandied about from time to time.) 

A year or so ago the  Peabody "Pacific" as James Grant called it because of it's similarity to the Ballard of the same moniker, changed hands at auction, and an incognito bidder won it in spite of a rather aggressive absentee bid from yours truly.  I'm thinking the same secret Peabody fancier got the single remaining 1872 Trials rifle (of possibly 2 or 3 made) from Julia's not long after. The trials rifle has unique features in the action internals found on  NO other Peabody. (firing pin, v-leaf firing pin return spring, double extractors at 3 and 9 o'clock)  In spite of my requesting that the auction house pass along my contact info, he/she has yet to respond.

Sir (Madam?) come forth and be identified, that we might compare notes!!

hello John in pa, DSM here. Sorry about my delay in reply! As I said, I have a littermate to your sporting Peabody. Mine varies somewhat from yours. 28 inch half round bbl. , plain partridge type front sight,rear bbl sight mounted very close to frame,where bbl joins frame there are no ''facets''[sp],same chambering ,bore shines like a new dime! the forend tip of german silver? is smaller than yours  ,the wood may exeed yours in figure[my opinion]. more at a later date.regards DSM

Happy new year everybody. Back to the peabody discussion---. I hesitate to bring this up. The old saying  " if its too good to be true it probably isnt true" comes to mind.  Anyway.here goes,on page 540 of Grants BOYS SINGLE SHOT RIFLES    plate281 describes my peabody to include same serial number!    I have to conclude it is my rifle! this is a first for me and perhaps I am making too much of it.BUT. I suppose Grants guns had to end up somewhere!   p.s. the book I own is a wolfe publishing reprint of 1991.