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Exceptionally Rare Civil War Era Breech Loading Rifles
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. III BY MOLLER
Collector’s Fact
4,000 Model 1841 “Mississippi” Rifles manufactured by Robbins & Lawrence were issued to the State of Massachusetts, of which only 103 were later fitted with the Lindner breech loading system in 1861.
162
LOT 209
Rare Mont Storm Patent Breech Loading Moore and
Harris Marked Percussion Rifle - Serial no. 241, 577 cal., 30 1/2 inch round
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is an extremely rare example of an early breech loading percussion rifle invented by William Mont Storm of New York. Reference U.S. Patent number 15,307 dated July 8th, 1856, and British Patent no. 2933 of 29 November, 1860. It uses a hinged trap door breech block system for loading with powder and ball, with a locking block actuated by the fall of the hammer. This design was used in British Army trials in the search for a system to convert leftover stocks of muzzle loading Enfield percussion rifles and carbines to breech loaders, of which Snider’s Patent was eventually chosen. Features a fixed blade front sight, 1,000 yard folding ladder rear sight, shallow five-groove rifling, filled in section where a bayonet lug used to be on the right side towards the muzzle, and two iron barrel bands. “Wm MONT STORM’S/PATENT” marked on top of the breech block. “MOORE & HARRIS/1863” marked on the lock. Serial number “241” is marked on the upper rear of the receiver, inside of the lock, rear of the lower tang, and on the underside of the breech block, barrel and receiver. Birmingham proof marks are on the underside of the barrel, receiver and breech block. Casehardened receiver, breech block and lock with a blued barrel (traces visible underneath). “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes leather sling and brass tipped wood tampion. CONDITION: Fine with slightly dull bright polished metal with some scattered light pitting, and clear markings. Stock is also fine with some light scratches and dents. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 6,500 - 11,000
LOT 210
Rare Documented Civil War U.S. Model 1841 Massachusetts Lindner Breech Loading Alteration “Mississippi” Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 19, 54 cal., 33 inch round bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. Massachusetts Lindner alteration rifles are described on pages 178-181 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III”, with this exact rifle photographed on page 179. 4,000 muzzle loading Model 1841 “Mississippi” rifles manufactured by Robbins & Lawrence of Windsor, VT were originally issued to the State of Massachusetts. Of these, 103 examples had a section of barrel removed at the breech end and were altered to the Lindner breech loading system in late 1861; 100 of those altered by Allen & Morse of Boston, Massachusetts, and 3 altered by Amoskeag Manufacturing Company of Manchester, New Hampshire. This rifle was inspected and modified by Augustine J. Drake of Boston with a block front sight post for mounting a socket bayonet before subsequently being sent to receive its Lindner conversion. The locking “screw-sleeve” on this rifle is marked with serial number “19” on the underside and “PATENTED/MAR. 29, 1859” on top in reference to Edward Lindner’s patent number 23,378. Lindner’s breech loading system utilizes a locking “screw-sleeve” coupling that joins the breech end of the barrel to a tip-up threaded breech block with a chamfered face. To load, the knob on the screw-sleeve is rotated counter clockwise using the right hand, which allows the spring loaded breech block to tip upwards for loading with a combustible paper cartridge or loose powder and ball. Once loaded, the spring-loaded breech block is pushed down and held with the left thumb, and the screw-sleeve is rotated clockwise gripping the knob with the right hand; creating a tight gas seal. These Lindner conversion rifles have a distinctive reinforcing metal plate ahead of the trigger guard fixed with a wedged pin. The iron upper tang has a plugged hole where a peep sight would have been mounted at the time of it’s Lindner alteration. The barrel has a .54 caliber seven groove bore. The breech block is marked “U.S./L.B.C./P”. Left side stock flat marked with two faint boxed script cartouches. The Robbins & Lawrence lock is dated 1850. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes Drake pattern socket bayonet, leather sling, wood tampion, tools and extra nipple CONDITION: Very good, retaining 25% original brown finish on the barrel with wear and handling marks. The breech and upper tang are turned to a smooth gray patina with some light flash pitting. Casehardened lock and hammer turned to a gray. Brass fittings retain an attractive bright patina. Stock is also very good with original raised grains, scattered dings and scratches, and cracks on both sides of the breech area and ahead of the lock (common on these Lindner alterations). Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is fine. A rare opportunity to own one of the rarest breech loading rifles of the Civil War! Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500