Burgess Model 1878 Long Range Repeating Rifle

ligonierbill · October 15, 2017, 06:55 PM

I was just up home shooting with my brother. We had an 1884 Trapdoor Springfield and an old 45-70 lever gun he had. A little research tells me it is the subject rifle, AKA Whitney-Burgess-Morse rifle. Sorry, I didn't take pictures. Can anyone share some knowledge about the Burgess rifle? I know Colt used the toggle action for a 44-40 competitor to the Winchester 1873, but this one is different. Supposedly only 2,000 were made. Good shooter, by the way.

JT-AR-MG42 · October 16, 2017, 06:46 AM

Can't share any personal experience lb.

The 1965 edition of Gun Digest does have an article - pages 166 - 175 on the Burgess saga however.
The folding shotgun is covered in addition to their rifle line.
Also discussed are the mergers. Good reading.

I remembered this edition for the article (and testfire) that covers guns slated as the M-14 re-placement, including the .308 version termed the AR-16.
Also includes an in depth article on M&H revolvers and a testing of the new
Ruger 10-22!

JT

reinert · October 16, 2017, 07:55 AM

This might be helpful if you can find a copy:

http://www.forgottenweapons.com/book...fle-model-1878

ligonierbill · October 16, 2017, 08:46 AM

Thanks. Ordered the book.

Lee44ShooterCnB · October 16, 2017, 12:06 PM

Check out the list at
https://www.eliwhitney.org/7/museum/...gun-collection

In the catalog
https://www.ubertireplicas.com/wp-co...log-uberti.pdf

Good read at
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/rifle...urgess_032411/

“There is a bit of irony in the fact that Andrew Burgess sold his Burgess Gun Company to Winchester in 1899. However, he continued patenting inventions until 1906, even though he was in failing health. He died in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1908. One can’t help but wonder what this prolific firearms inventor would have thought had he known his once-banned rifle would be resurrected and made in Italy, as one of the newest guns of the 21st century.”

**4V50 Gary** · October 16, 2017, 04:12 PM

Lee44ShooterCnB - I wasn't aware that Uberti made a replica of it.

thallub · October 17, 2017, 07:41 AM

This Burgess rifle sold on gunbroker:

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/669290369

October 15, 2017, 06:55 PM	#1
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,641	Burgess Model 1878 Long Range Repeating Rifle I was just up home shooting with my brother. We had an 1884 Trapdoor Springfield and an old 45-70 lever gun he had. A little research tells me it is the subject rifle, AKA Whitney-Burgess-Morse rifle. Sorry, I didn't take pictures. Can anyone share some knowledge about the Burgess rifle? I know Colt used the toggle action for a 44-40 competitor to the Winchester 1873, but this one is different. Supposedly only 2,000 were made. Good shooter, by the way.

October 16, 2017, 12:06 PM	#5
Lee44ShooterCnB Member Join Date: May 13, 2015 Location: Ga. Posts: 68	Check out the list at https://www.eliwhitney.org/7/museum/...gun-collection In the catalog https://www.ubertireplicas.com/wp-co...log-uberti.pdf Good read at http://www.rifleshootermag.com/rifle...urgess_032411/ “There is a bit of irony in the fact that Andrew Burgess sold his Burgess Gun Company to Winchester in 1899. However, he continued patenting inventions until 1906, even though he was in failing health. He died in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1908. One can’t help but wonder what this prolific firearms inventor would have thought had he known his once-banned rifle would be resurrected and made in Italy, as one of the newest guns of the 21st century.” Last edited by Lee44ShooterCnB; October 16, 2017 at 12:26 PM.

October 16, 2017, 04:12 PM	#6
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,294	Lee44ShooterCnB - I wasn't aware that Uberti made a replica of it. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 16, 2017, 06:46 AM	#2
JT-AR-MG42 Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 558	Can't share any personal experience lb. The 1965 edition of Gun Digest does have an article - pages 166 - 175 on the Burgess saga however. The folding shotgun is covered in addition to their rifle line. Also discussed are the mergers. Good reading. I remembered this edition for the article (and testfire) that covers guns slated as the M-14 re-placement, including the .308 version termed the AR-16. Also includes an in depth article on M&H revolvers and a testing of the new Ruger 10-22! JT

October 16, 2017, 07:55 AM	#3
reinert Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 646	This might be helpful if you can find a copy: http://www.forgottenweapons.com/book...fle-model-1878

October 16, 2017, 08:46 AM	#4
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,641	Thanks. Ordered the book.

October 17, 2017, 07:41 AM	#7
thallub Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2007 Location: South Western OK Posts: 3,122	This Burgess rifle sold on gunbroker: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/669290369