Developed in 1863 by J.P. Lindsay, this rifle used a "superposed charge" system to give the firepower of a double barreled rifle in the format of a single barreled infantry musket. Equipped with a single trigger and dual hammers and nipples, the barrel would be loaded with two full loads of powder and ball, with the right hammer firing the front charge, and the rear fired by the left, in that order. Only around 1,000 were manufactured under contract to the US Army, and they were unpopular, due to the real and present danger of the first charge misfiring (bad primer, fouled powder, etc) and the second charge being obstructed and destroying the rifle. This reduced the survival rate of the rifle, making high condition examples scarce on the contemporary market. Blade front and 3-leaf rear sights, with the top of the breech section marked "LINDSAY/PATENTED. OCT. 9. 1860" and there are small single letter inspectors marks on most of the parts. All metal surfaces were finished bright and mounted with a full length straight grip walnut stock secured by three barrel bands. There are two crisp oval "ADK" cartouches on the left stock flat, a small "O" behind the lower tang and the buttplate tang is marked "US". With an original tulip head iron ram rod.

Very fine. The metal surfaces remain bright with some scattered mild wear and discoloration. The stock is also excellent with a few minor pressure dents and dings. The cartouches and markings are clear. The action is tight as new. An outstanding example of a scarce and very unique Civil War Rifle Musket.