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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. III BY MOLLER
LOT 211
Documented U.S. Springfield Model 1863 Type I Percussion Rifle-Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 58 cal., 40 inch round bbl., bright/
blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Reportedly 273,265 Springfield Model 1863 Type I rifle-muskets were manufactured c. 1863-1864 with the screw fastened barrel bands. Springfield Model 1863 rifle-muskets are described on pages 324-327 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III”, with this exact rifle photographed on page 324. These rifles are significant in the history of U.S. martial arms, as they armed Union troops and saw widespread use in the latter years of the Civil War. Solid blade front and 500 yard two-leaf rear sight. Casehardened 1863 dated “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” marked lock. Armory bright 1863 dated barrel, ramrod, and “US” marked buttplate. Blued bands, rear sight, trigger, and trigger guard. The left stock flat is marked with two circled script cartouches including “ESA” (Erskine S. Allin). “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a US socket bayonet, leather sling, and wood tampion. CONDITION: Very fine, bright polish with some scattered light freckling and dulling, 85% bright original blue finish on barrel bands and trigger guard
with some patches of light pitting, and 75% plus vivid original case colors on the lock. Stock is also excellent with defined edges, some light scratches and dents, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very fine with some scattered patches of light pitting. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 212
Exceptional Whitney Arms Co. Marked Documented U.S. Springfield Model 1863 Type I Percussion Rifle-Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 58 cal., 40 inch round bbl., bright/blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Reportedly 273,265 Springfield Model 1863 Type I rifle-muskets were manufactured c. 1863-1864 with the screw fastened barrel bands. Springfield Model 1863 rifle-muskets are described on pages 324-327 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III”, with this exact rifle photographed on page 325. These rifles are significant in the history of U.S. martial arms, as they armed Union troops and saw
widespread use in the latter years of the Civil War. Solid blade front and 500 yard two-leaf rear sight. Casehardened 1863 dated “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” marked lock. Armory bright 1863 dated barrel, ramrod, trigger, trigger guard, and “US” marked buttplate. Blued bands and rear sight. The left stock flat is marked with circled script cartouches “TBH” and “ESA” (Erskine S. Allin), and the right of the buttstock is marked with a large eagle and shield over “WHITNEY ARMS CO”. Eli Whitney Jr. reorganized his family’s business in 1863 as the Whitney Arms Co. and is known to have purchased condemned and leftover parts from the U.S. armories as well as other outside contractors primarily to sell to states and militia units, with some sources stating these Model 1863 rifle-muskets with the Whitney stamp were likely assembled post-Civil War. Regardless, this example is as it would have been from Springfield. Includes a US socket bayonet, reproduction leather sling, and wood tampion. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining all of the original Armory Bright with some scattered light freckling, 90% plus bright original blue finish on the rear sight and bands, and 95% plus vivid original case colors on the lock with a small patch of pitting on the top edge of the hammer. Stock is very fine with defined edges, scattered light scratches and dents, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very fine with some scattered patches of light pitting. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 213
Fine Documented New Jersey Marked Civil War Trenton U.S. Model 1861 Percussion Rifle-Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 58 cal., 40 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This is one of approximately 5,300 rifle-muskets contracted with the state of New Jersey by J.T. Hodge and A. M. Burton circa 1863-1864, not included as part of the reported 11,495 “Trenton” marked rifle-muskets delivered under U.S. contract during the Civil War. These New Jersey Contract Model 1861 rifle-muskets are described on pages 307-309 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume
III” with this exact rifle photographed on page 308. The book states, “Burt & Hodge received at least four contracts from the State of New Jersey for rifle muskets. In 1863, they contracted with the state as Trenton Arms Company, and in 1864, they contracted as the New Jersey Arms & Ordnance Company... some of which specified that the locks be marked ‘Trenton.’” Features a bayonet stud front sight and flip-up 500 yard rear sight. The left of the barrel at the breech is marked “N.J.” and has standard “V/P/eagle head” proofs. The lock is marked “U.S./ TRENTON” ahead of the eagle and shield. “1864” dated on the tail of the lock and top of the barrel at the breech. Oval script “NJ” (State of New Jersey) cartouche marked on the left stock flat. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes US socket bayonet, reproduction leather sling, and wood tampion. CONDITION: Fine with crisp edges on the metal and mostly bright surfaces, some scattered light brown surface freckling and handling marks. Stock is very fine with raised grain and rich dark oil finish, defined edges, some minor chips on the edges of the flats, some scratches, and a nice cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 214
U.S. Colt Special Model 1861 Contract Percussion Rifle-Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 58 cal., 40 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Approximately 75,000 of these rifle-muskets were manufactured by Colt during the Civil War loosely based on the British Pattern 1853 “Enfield” rifle-muskets, and some of the design elements were later used on the Springfield Model 1863 rifles. This “1864” dated rifle-musket (both lock plate and barrel correspond) has the standard markings and features (no “STEEL” barrel marking) including “M.N.M” inspectors mark on the breech as well as “AWM” and “L.L” cartouches on the left stock flat. Includes a leather sling and “U.S.” marked socket bayonet. CONDITION: Fine, with some patches of smooth brown patina forming and light spotting on the lock. The stock is very fine with a handling marks and dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. III BY MOLLER
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. III BY MOLLER
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