Bennett & Haviland Many Chambered Revolving Rifle

An early repeating rifle designed by Epenetus A. Bennett and Frederick P. Haviland, this prototype percussion underhammer "Many-Chambered Gun" received U.S. Patent No. 603 on February 15, 1838. Each of the twelve rectangular brass chambers were loaded with powder and ball and capped individually. As each shot was fired, a fresh chamber could be brought into line with the breech by rotating the knob on the underside of the receiver. Fewer than ten examples were produced.