The Hamilton Model 7 Rifle

So, it’s a fun story, but I don’t think the Hamilton Number 7 ever came inside sacks of chicken feed. However, I am sure they were frequently offered as premiums or prizes for purchases, giveaways and sweepstakes. I’ve seen one advertisement where a Hamilton Rifle was offered to Boys and Girls as a prize for selling Successful Farming Magazine. I’ve also read of them being offered as enticement or selling seeds, greeting cards and even Cloverine Salve!

In case you were wondering, the Hamilton Number 7 is legal to own and is not considered a Short Barrel Rifle (SBR) by the ATF. The guns are officially listed as Curio & Relics on page 25 of the current C&R list, where it notes, “Hamilton, Models 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35,39, and 43 Rifles.” Note the later Hamilton Model 51 is still considered a ‘regular’ firearm.

Cheap wire-frame rifles have been around for a while and remain even today, with examples such as the Bronco Survival Rifle. However, the Hamilton Number 7 is most notable for likely being the “cheapest of the cheap,” a firearm technologically on-par with the zip gun. Even contemporaries such as the Quakenbush Bicycle Rifle are works of art compared to the Number 7.

Collector value is anywhere from $150-600, depending on condition. Most of these guns didn’t receive good care at the hands of their teen (and younger) owners, so many didn’t survive. The ones most often seen are in pretty poor shape, with the nickel plating missing and rust rampant. While the barrel would likely survive firing a modern .22 Short, the locking mechanism isn’t exactly the epitome of firearms manufacturing technology, and the trigger is essentially a stamped steel lever. It would also be charitable to call the sights “rudimentary.” In other words, the Hamilton Model 7 is an interesting side note to firearms history but they best remain as a collector’s items, not shooters.

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