Lot 1010: Colorado National Guard Winchester Model 1895 Musket

Manufactured in 1899 as one of approximately 400 with this special issue National Guard roll-mark. The right side of the receiver has the Colorado National Guard marking: "NATIONAL GUARD OF COLORADO." The top of the receiver is marked "1C11." "KSM" (Kelly S. Morse) inspector mark is stamped on the lever and bolt. The musket lacks a caliber marking. The left side of the receiver is stamped with the two-line Winchester address/patent dates marking. The musket has a pinned blade front sight, a rear aperture sight graduated to 1,800 yards as well as "3," "5," "7," "8,", "9," and "0" on the left side, a bayonet lug on the front barrel band, a musket stock with finger groove forearm, and a trapdoor buttplate (pull through not included). "GDM" (George D. Moller) collection initials are discreetly marked at the toe of the stock. With a leather sling and a Winchester manufactured and marked bayonet with scabbard and leather frog. These Colorado National Guard Model 1895 muskets are seldom encountered and when found generally show hard use. These Model 1895 muskets were used extensively by the Colorado National Guard in suppressing miner's unions during the Colorado Labor Wars of 1903 and 1904. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Fine, retaining 50% plus original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The wood is very good with a stabilized crack at the front of the hand guard, a couple chips and a number of scattered minor dings and scratches. The bayonet is very good with the blade having a mixed patina with some pitting and the scabbard retaining traces of original blue on the hardware and some age cracking on the leather. Mechanically excellent.