POTD: The Wurfflein-Hubbell – An Early American Breechloader
Sam.S 02.18.25
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have the Wurfflein-Hubbell. In 1844, Philadelphia gunmaker John Wurfflein and patent attorney William Wheeler Hubbell collaborated to create an innovative breechloading percussion rifle. This rare arm featured a unique “reverse trapdoor” action where the breechblock rotated up and left for loading, predating similar designs like the Tabatiere and Snider by decades. The rifle combined a 30 7/8-inch part-octagon barrel with a back-action lock, both marked “J WURFFLEIN PHILADA.” The breechblock bore Hubbell’s July 1, 1844 patent date. Operation was straightforward – with the hammer at half-cock, a small lever released the breechblock for loading. The design incorporated a grip handle under the barrel and featured a checkered wrist with shotgun-style buttplate. Though Hubbell went on to patent various firearm improvements, including Civil War rifle-musket conversions and artillery shells, this early collaboration with Wurfflein represents a significant step in American breechloader development. The rifle’s design anticipated features that would become common in post-Civil War military conversions.
“Manufacturer: Wurfflein, J.Model: PercussionType: RifleGauge: 60Barrel: 30 7/8 inch part octagonFinish: brown/casehardened”
Lot 94: John Wurfflein Hubbell Patent Breechloading Percussion Rifle – Extremely Rare Documented John Wurfflein Hubbell Patent Breechloading Single Shot Percussion Rifle. (n.d.). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4090/94/john-wurfflein-hubbell-patent-breechloading-percussion-rifle.
