Rare Side Hammer Peabody Prototype

Thomas Howley, a retired Naval pilot, firearms historian, and importer of antique firearms was the chief operator of the Durango Rifle Company, located in Durango, CO.

Howley and his partner, David Zummo, created a high quality reproduction of the Peabody Side Hammer Sporting Rifle.

The first two prototypes made their debut at the 1997 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The entire action and lock of the Durango Peabody is color case-hardened using the original bone and charcoal process. Complimenting this is a blued Badger barrel, and beautifully finished walnut stock. Both prototypes are chambered in .45-70. Made of 8620 steel, the receiver of the prototype Peabody is CNC machined to the specifications of the original.

The Durango Rifle Company went out of business when Thomas Howley was killed in an automobile accident, around 1997. The above information was obtained from an article written by Gary Paul Johnston, and published in "Guns and Ammo" in January 1998.