C.B. Holden Tip-Up .22 caliber rifle. Overall length is approximately 38”. The 24” octagon/round barrel has an excellent bore. The 7⅛” Octagon portion terminates in a stepped wedding band with two knurled rings. The barrel has approximately 95% nickel. There is light decorative engraving on the frame and forend. In addition, the left frame is engraved “Frank L. Wilder” in script. The walnut stock has a capped checkered steel shotgun butt plate. The wood is very good with chips at the right and rear of the tang. The barrel is marked “C.B. Holden maker. Worcester. Mass.” The original tang peep and globe front sights are present. The action functions with the exception that half-cock can be over-ridden by the trigger. Cyrus Baldwin Holden (1827-1906) was in business in Worcester, Ma from circa 1857-1900. He is known for single shot rifles and shotguns. This exact rifle is pictured and described, including the owners name, in James J. Grant’s book, “More Single Shot Rifles” (pages 181 and 182). This rifle is one of the few hundred small frame spur trigger rifles he made circa 1876-1890. This is a very nice example of an early .22 caliber rifle.