Featured in this lot we have an extremely rare Detroit Rifle co. Model 11 breach loading boys rifle chambered in .22 rim fire. This rare firearm was manufactured by the Heal/Detroit Rifle Company from between 1903-1905. The cartridge rifle design was first invented by Hiram Passage, who worked for Daisy Air Rifle Company at the time, in 1899. After changing the patent design a bit, he sold the design to Frank Trowbridge of the Detroit Brass and Iron Novelty Company in 1902 with Frank giving the design his employee John Heal to to produce a model. Heal saw that the patent wouldnt work properly and redesigned the firearm, impressing Trowbridge to the point of changing the company name to the Heal Rifle Company with production starting in 1903. In 1905 Heal withdrew from the company due to a accident causing a friend to die from a Heal rifle, causing Frank Trowbridge to the Detroit Rifle Company. The company closed only two years after. The rifle shows a unique under barrel breach design making half of the barrel length unused aside from the long firing pin. The model 11, while a more refined version from the Model 10, was notoriously inaccurate with the rifling not enough to stabilize the bullet. The rifle displays a 22" long barrel overall with a 12" long firing barrel with the breach in the middle and 10" long firing pin. The breach also primes the firing pin when opening to load. The top of the barrel is marked "DETROIT RIFLE NO. 11. 22 CAL. PAT.AP'D FOR MFD BY DETROIT RIFLE CO. DETROIT MICH". Mechanically the rifle shows good working order with the breach lever operating properly and functional trigger. The piece displays a walnut stock, fixed sights, and metal butt plate. The rifle shows good condition overall with some wear due to age and use. Provenance: From the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum in Tombstone, Arizona where the rifle has been on display in their collection for multiple decades, Marge and Stephen Elliott collection with many items associated with John D. Gilchriese. The rifle comes with a museum display tag with information on the piece and the museums information code. The rifle weighs 2lbs 4oz. No Serial Number. This firearm qualifies as a Curio & Relic firearm, and requires FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.