Lot 310: Civil War Era Pattern 1853 Percussion Rifle-Musket

The lock is marked with St. Edward's Crown (no "VR") and "1862/TOWER" on the outside and "C&G" (Cooper & Goodman, gunmakers in mid-19th century Birmingham), "STEATHAM" (likely supposed to be Streatham, a district in south London), and some single letters on the backside of the lock. The lack of "VR" indicates it was meant for export, not the British government. It was very likely sold to Union or Confederate agents for use in the Civil War. It has a blade/bayonet stud front sight, notch and folding ladder rear sight, chained nipple guard, "#" and "XVII" on the trigger guard tang, and Birmingham proofs on the barrel. The stock has "H" cut into the left side of the butt and several gothic letters behind the trigger guard followed by "COOPER & GOODMAN."

Very good with patches of blue finish in the protected areas and on the middle barrel band, gray and brown patina, some light pitting concentrated at the breech, and moderate wear on the lightly sanded and re-oiled stock including some surface chipping and a crack in the butt on the left. Mechanically fine.