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March 4, 2026
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Hello all,
I’m hoping someone here might be able to help track down a reference in The Winchester Repeater.
I was recently gifted a small collection of antique firearms and am trying to document provenance and historical references for a few of the pieces. One rifle in particular appears to be a very unusual lever-action rifle made by Leopold Bernard, Cannonier à Paris, and loosely based on the Winchester Model 1866 action.
The rifle is marked on the underside of the barrel:
LEOPOLD BERNARD CANNONIER A PARIS
450 23177 1870
The description I have indicates that this rifle:
• was discussed in an article by C.W. Slagle in The Winchester Repeater (possibly early 1990s)
• is pictured on pp. 16–17 of R.L. Wilson’s Winchester: An American Legend**
• previously sold in the Little John Auction (May 20, 1998, Lot #776)
I have access to the WACA magazine archive but have not been able to locate the Slagle article yet, and I suspect the auction catalog may have misidentified the exact issue.
Would anyone happen to know:
- Which issue of The Winchester Repeater contained the Slagle article referencing this rifle?
- Whether this Bernard lever-action has been documented elsewhere in Winchester collector literature?
I’m just trying to better understand its history and documentation.
Any guidance or references would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks very much,
April 15, 2005
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“The Winchester Repeater” is not a WACA publication. I believe that it may have been published by the long defunct Winchester Club of America.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May 23, 2009
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I have a few issues of the old Winchester Repeater magazine, but do not have the issue discussing the rifle in question. R.L. Wilson’s book simply describes it as a “French Copy of the Henry Rifle”. I don’t recalling seeing that specific make of rifle being discussed in the WACA Collector Magazine. It maybe a false memory but I could of swore I saw that same type of rifle to have shown up recently at one of the big auction houses.
One of the issues of the Repeater Magazine that I do have does have a AD for a Mr. C.W. Slagle. In the Summer 1994 issue the phone number on the AD is listed as 602-991-3107. I know its a long shot but you might try giving it a call. Maybe someone related to Mr. Slagle is still associated with that number and could give you some more information. I would imagine that most likely Mr. Slagle is now deceased.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
March 31, 2009
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Maverick said
I have a few issues of the old Winchester Repeater magazine, but do not have the issue discussing the rifle in question. R.L. Wilson’s book simply describes it as a “French Copy of the Henry Rifle”. I don’t recalling seeing that specific make of rifle being discussed in the WACA Collector Magazine. It maybe a false memory but I could of swore I saw that same type of rifle to have shown up recently at one of the big auction houses.
One of the issues of the Repeater Magazine that I do have does have a AD for a Mr. C.W. Slagle. In the Summer 1994 issue the phone number on the AD is listed as 602-991-3107. I know its a long shot but you might try giving it a call. Maybe someone related to Mr. Slagle is still associated with that number and could give you some more information. I would imagine that most likely Mr. Slagle is now deceased.
Sincerely,
Maverick
C.W. Slagle passed away some years ago. He and I were friends and I was lucky to bid and win on a few of his items.
March 31, 2009
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I had to have this converted from French to English.
https://winchester-lsg.forumotion.com/t3238-a-french-henry-rifle
March 31, 2009
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Chuck said
https://jamesdjulia.com/item/lot-884-very-rare-and-unusual-french-lever-action-center-fire-rifle-48473/
I had to have this converted from French to English.
https://winchester-lsg.forumotion.com/t3238-a-french-henry-rifle
Sorry the translated one didn’t copy. Open the French version and right click on the picture and go down to where it says translate to English. Worked for me.
March 4, 2026
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These are some fantastic resources.
From everything I see, this is indeed the same gun from the article, it has an unfinished rear leaf-sight and matches every other description.
Does anyone happen to have access to or know where to find:
- the Little John Auction (May 20, 1998) catalog – Lot 776
• the C.W. Slagle article in The Winchester Repeater that reportedly discusses this rifle
• the specific pages (16-17 I think) reference in R.L. Wilson’s Winchester: An American Legend where it may be pictured - Does anyone remember Robert F. Wolfskill or know if his collection was sold at auction?
Even a photo of the relevant catalog or page would be incredibly helpful as I try to piece together the research history on the rifle.
Does anyone else find this thing fascinating? It seems to be somewhat one-of-a-kind…but it’s unlike anything I’ve ever had.
March 31, 2009
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/376472113905
Look at the book on the bottom middle.
March 31, 2009
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The picture of the French rifle is indeed on pages 16 and 17 of Wilson’s book.
March 4, 2026
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Chuck, is there any way you could share a picture of those pages with me? I have a copy of the book but it’s unopened and was $75 so I’m trying to validate before I commit.
Those Ebay listings are unbelievable, WOW! Thank you!
March 31, 2009
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Brodg88 said
Chuck, is there any way you could share a picture of those pages with me? I have a copy of the book but it’s unopened and was $75 so I’m trying to validate before I commit.
Those Ebay listings are unbelievable, WOW! Thank you!
The picture is spread over the 2 pages. I can take a picture but I am not going to flatten out this book to do so. You will get what I can easily take.
March 4, 2026
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Anything is better than nothing! Thank you!
March 31, 2009
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Do you own this rifle or are you contemplating buying it or selling it?
March 4, 2026
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Chuck,
I was formally gifted this rifle, so I’m trying to figure out what it is and what to do with it!
I’m enjoying the history sleuthing project.
UPDATE:
I have ordered 2 magazines, the Wilson Book, and the Little John’s Auction catalogue so I can have hard copies of everything. I also have a friend who may have the original James Julia catalogue as well.
I’ll report back on these as they come in and scan/upload everything I find as well as thoughts on how well the images/descriptions match this rifle.
March 31, 2009
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Brodg88 said
Chuck,
I was formally gifted this rifle, so I’m trying to figure out what it is and what to do with it!
I’m enjoying the history sleuthing project.
UPDATE:
I have ordered 2 magazines, the Wilson Book, and the Little John’s Auction catalogue so I can have hard copies of everything. I also have a friend who may have the original James Julia catalogue as well.
I’ll report back on these as they come in and scan/upload everything I find as well as thoughts on how well the images/descriptions match this rifle.
Well, you don’t need this any more, but here it is.
March 4, 2026
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Chuck that is SO helpful, thank you! This copy is sealed, so, now I feel ok opening it up.
The rest is still coming in the mail.
March 4, 2026
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Hello everyone. I have finally come back to this project and I’m currently in touch with 2 sources in Paris to find out more about this gun. I have a PDF of all the publications and also snapped a photo of the barrel markings.
1870 – Rifle marked “LEOPOLD BERNARD CANNONIER A PARIS” and dated 1870.
By 1962 – In the collection of Robert F. Wolfskill; featured in Shooting Times, March 1962, “A French Henry Rifle.”
1992 – Featured by C.W. Slagle in The Winchester Repeater (Fall 1992).
1992 – Illustrated in R.L. Wilson’s Winchester: An American Legend, pp. 16–17.
May 20, 1998 – Sold in Little John’s Firearms Auction, Lot 776.
March 2003 – Sold in James D. Julia Auction, Lot 884.
February 2026- Gifted to me from the Ladd Hellenbrand estate
I’m particularly interested in learning more about Robert F. Wolfskill, who owned the rifle by 1962 and wrote the Shooting Times article. If anyone knew Mr. Wolfskill, has information about his collection, remembers this rifle from the Slagle era, or has encountered additional references to it in collector literature, I would be very grateful to hear from you.
I’m also curious whether anyone has ever seen another example of a Bernard-marked repeating rifle, or has any insight into how this rifle may have made its way from France to the United States.
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