Make: Providence Tool Company

Model: Peabody Rifle, French Contract, captured by the Prussians

Serial Number: 78256

Year of Manufacture: 1870-1871 / ATF Classification: Antique

Caliber/Gauge: .43 Spanish

Action Type: Single shot with lever actuated drop block and external hammer

Barrel Length: 33"

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade with a rectangular base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder sight adjustable from 100 to 1300 meters 

Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood with a metal nosecap, two barrel bands, slot cut for the included clearing rod, straight grip, straight comb and a smooth metal buttplate. The furniture shows light wear with pressure dings, scuffs, and surface scratches. The LOP measures 13.5" from the front of the trigger to the back of the plate. The plate has some light surface erosion and finish wear. There is a crack running from the lockplate. The buttstock is a little loose. Overall, the furniture is in about Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright and the rifling is sharp with light fouling. There are a few spots of surface oxidation in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. There is light thinning in the finish. The metal shows mainly freckling with some minor scratches and scuffs. The screw heads range from lightly to moderately tooled and retain turnable slots. The markings are clear and complete. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good Plus condition as an Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not shoot this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: This Providence Tool Company French Contract Peabody, manufactured circa 1870 to 1871, is a remarkable example of a rifle whose history spans continents and conflict. Produced by Providence Tool Company during the Franco Prussian War era, this rifle was ordered by France amid urgent wartime need. In the chaos of the conflict, examples such as this were ultimately captured by Prussian forces, giving the rifle a layered provenance tied directly to one of the defining European wars of the 19th century.

Chambered in .43 Spanish with a 33" barrel, the Peabody represents the transitional black powder single shot era when metallic cartridges were rapidly replacing percussion arms. The .43 Spanish cartridge saw broad international use and became closely associated with export contract rifles of this period. The bore rates an impressive 8.5 out of 10, and the action functions correctly, reflecting both the strength of the Peabody falling block system and the careful preservation of this example.

Approximately 90% of the original finish remains, an exceptional level of retention for a rifle that witnessed international diversion and wartime capture. Metal surfaces remain strong and well defined, underscoring the quality of Providence Tool Company production during this period. As French contract rifle later captured by Prussian forces, this Peabody stands as a tangible artifact of global arms commerce and 19th century European warfare.