Elisha Haydon Collier (1788-1856) of Boston, Massachusetts, is a pivotal figure in the development of revolving firearms. He patented an improvement of Captain Artemus Wheeler's American patented design in England in 1818, and Collier received UK patent no. 4315. The Collier revolver is the first commercially produced revolving firearm design and helped pave the way for Samuel Colt's famous percussion revolvers patented in the UK in 1835. The Collier flintlocks are especially desirable, and this example is especially rare as it features a rifled barrel and detachable buttstock. Only a few pistol-carbines are believed to have been produced. It is featured on page 477 of the new book "Clockwork Basilisk: The Early Revolvers of Elisha Collier & Artemas Wheeler" by Ben Nicholson. It is listed as sold by Sotheby's in 1969 and by Norm Flayderman in 1971. The cylinder shield and stock were noted as missing. The carbine is referenced on page 15 of "Collier & His Revolvers" by Clay P. Bedford in the American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin in 1971 as the "highest number Second Model flintlock" Collier. It was manufactured fairly late in production, likely in the early 1820s. The rifled Damascus barrel has a concave solid rib signed "E. H. Collier 138 London" in script and fitted with a bead front sight and dovetailed notch rear sight. The top strap, lock, and mounts are engraved with scroll, foliate, and martial designs. The flat lock plate is signed "E.H. Collier/138 PATENT". The frizzen includes a powder magazine that automatically primes the pan and is marked "E. H. COLLIER/138 PATENT" on the right. The pistol grip stock has a silver star inlaid on the left that is engraved with a floral bloom at center and radiating lines. The pistol grip stock wrist and the wrist of the skeleton buttstock are checkered and have silver escutcheons. The buttstock also has a trigger release and swivel. Provenance: The H. White Collection; Norm Flayderman, Inc.; The Charles Marx Collection

Good with artificial gray and brown patina on the cylinder and lock plate, mostly distinct engraving and markings, attractively aged patina on the silver, minor oxidation/pitting, absent cylinder shield, and general mild wear. The pistol stock is very good and has distinct checkering and mild scratches and dings. The replacement shoulder stock is very good and has distinct checkering, a piece absent at the front of the wrist on top, and scratches and dings. Mechanically functions.