Peabody Model 1867
Providence Tool Company · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1866
Also known as: Peabody rifle, Providence Tool Peabody, Peabody Patent 1862
Overview
The Peabody Model 1867 was a single-shot falling-block military rifle designed by Henry O. Peabody and manufactured by the Providence Tool Company of Providence, Rhode Island. Operated by a combined lever and trigger-guard that dropped the breechblock to expose the chamber, it was a robust and accurate design that, while never adopted as a US standard service rifle, sold widely on the international market in numerous calibers including .43 Spanish, .45 Romanian, and .41 Swiss rimfire. Its action directly inspired Friedrich von Martini's improved hammerless Martini design.
Specifications
| Overall Length | 1321 mm (52.01") |
| Barrel Length | 838 mm (32.99") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 411 m/s (1348 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2078 J (1533 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 3 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Case Hardened |
Calibers
- .43 Spanish · primary — also known as .433 Spanish, 11.15x58mmR, 11mm Spanish Remington
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Single Shot, Metallic Cartridge, Lever Actuated Falling Block, Side Action Lock, External Hammer, Bayonet Lug
Variants
- Peabody Model 1867 Carbine — Carbine
- Peabody-Martini — Improved Action
Service history
Operators
- Spanish Army
- Romanian Army · adopted 1868
- Swiss Confederation
Conflicts
- Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)
Production
Production years: 1866-1871
Produced largely for foreign military contracts; exact totals across all contracts uncertain
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Henry O. Peabody
Discontinued: 1871
Notes
The .43 Spanish model has a notably longer and deeper breechblock cut-out to accommodate the long cartridge. Produced under contract for Spain, Romania, Switzerland, France, and others, c. 1866-1871.
Background
Although the US Army never adopted it as standard issue, Henry Peabody's falling-block action was so sound that Swiss designer Friedrich von Martini reworked it into the hammerless Martini breech, which paired with Alexander Henry's barrel to become the legendary British Martini-Henry.