The Evans lever-action repeaters were designed by Warren R. Evans, a dentist from Thomaston, Maine, as high capacity arms. With the help of his brother George, they perfected the rifle and started the "Evans Rifle Manufacturing Company" of Mechanic Falls, Maine in 1873. Their rifles and carbines were marketed by Merwin & Hulbert. The Evans Repeating Rifle Company went bankrupt in December 1879.

In design, the Evans guns are similar to Spencers. However, the Evans has a rotating magazine in the buttstock holding four rows of cartridges which are loaded through a small door in the butt plate. Each time the trigger guard/loading lever is cycled, the magazine feeds the next cartridge to the breech in a helical pattern. The fluted magazine making a quarter turn each time the lever is operated. The magazine has a much higher capacity than the Spencer, fitting 26 cartridges.

The first model of the rifle, commonly called the “Old Model,” was in production from 1873 to 1876. Approximately 500 were produced. A “Transition Model” appears by early 1876 and continues to 1877 with nearly 1700 guns manufactured.

This specimen, the “New Model” carbine was manufactured from 1877 to 1879. Approximately 4000 these carbines were produced. Round barrel is 22” long. Tall blade sight at muzzle and long-range flip-up rear sight. Top of barrel is strongly stamped “EVANS REPEATING RIFLE, MECHANIC FALLS, ME. PAT. DEC. 8, 1868 & SEP. 16, 1871.  U.S.A.” Bore is dirty but retains rifling. A single barrel band with swivel.

The receiver and round magazine are one piece, the magazine tube extending back to the butt plate. Unmarked. Loading lever/trigger guard on bottom also operates the sliding dust cover over the ejection port. The new model was chambered for a 1 ½” long .44 caliber cartridge. All cartridges were loaded through a small hole (with sliding cover) in the butt plate. All gun metal wears a smooth and matching dark gray patina. All mechanical actions work very well.

Three-piece walnut stock; a forearm piece under the barrel and two pieces surrounding the magazine to form the shoulder stock. Rear swivel on underside of butt stock.

A very interesting sporting carbine.  [jet] [ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!