Levi Biddle Swivel Rifle

[Joepett]

I would like to have more information on my Levi Biddle swivel rifle/shotgun (?). The upper barrel appears to be smooth bore, perhaps 20 guage, and the lower barrel is rifled 50 caliber. The lock is a bit rough but with close examination, the letters "ddle" can be made out inside a scrolled enclosurer. My questions are these: how unusual is a Levi Biddle swivel rifle or rifle/shotgun? Can someone identify the markings to the right of the signature on the lock?

[Shreckmeister]

Is the barrel signed Levi Biddle? The lock was probably made by riddle.

[Joepett]

Neither of the barrels are signed

[Longknife]

In this guns time period locks, barrels and many other gun parts were available to purchase. The 'smith would then supply the wood and assemble the gun putting his name or mark on top of the barrel.

[Buck]

Joepett,

Swivel rifles are a rarity no matter the maker. Nice piece.

Buck

[OLUT]

I can't add much, but these commercial  RIDDLE locks usually have a decorative scroll design on the lock plate similar to the one shown. Your unknown gunmaker had pretty good skill and used a distinctive trigger and cheekpiece that MIGHT help somebody identify this maker. Likewise the fit of the nipples  onto the "bolster plate" are not common . You've got a nice swivel breech combination gun

[Joepett]

Thank you all for your comments/observations.  Is there, in fact,  "Riddle" lockmaker? I thought the initial response included a typo, riddle for Biddle.

[Shreckmeister]

Riddle was a lock maker

[Joepett]

Given the photo sent, the lock on my rifle is clearly Riddle.  I've done some research and found that Tryon and Company may have used Riddle locks on their swivel barrel rifles. Other possible candidates are gunmakers James B. Cooper and James W. Parker,  though this list likely is not inclusive. This research is AI generated and may not be accurate.  Does anyone have an opinion as to whether any of the above likely made my rifle?

[dadybear1]

WHAT UNLOCKS THE ACTION TO SWIVEL---SLIDING TRIGGER GUARD?  JEFF in TEXAS

[Joepett]

There doesn't appear to be any particular locking mechanism on the rifle. While I'm not sure this is unusual for a swivel rifle, it seems to be particularly heavy,  weighting over ten pounds. The weight of the barrels seem to keep them in place when rotated. I've attached a few close up photos of the section of the rifle where the barrels rotate.

[OLUT]

Your swivel breech is a late type with a "180 degree twist type" barrel release. One  of the "swivel plates" has a groove cut into it and the other swivel plate has a stud that rides in this groove. These are much simpler in construction than the earlier versions that utilized a release via a button, lever or sliding trigger guard. Here's a photo of one of my unknown maker's gun with a similar swivel action. Note that  the front of the lock fits into a recess in the rear swivel plate ; yours seems to be incomplete in this detail, but your side plate does show this well (changed lock, or?)

[Joepett]

Thanks very much for your information.  Does the size and shape of the patchbox offer any insight into the maker?