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LOT 218
Very Scarce and Desirable Documented Civil War South Carolina Contract Palmetto Armory Model 1842 Percussion Rifled Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 42 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. William Glaze and Thomas W. Radcliff’s Palmetto Armory in Columbia, South Carolina, received a state contract for 6,000 Model 1842 muskets. These were delivered in 1852 and 1853. These state contract muskets
would have been among the better arms in the southern arsenals at the outbreak of the Civil War and saw extensive use throughout the war in the hands of Confederate soldiers. This musket has desirable rifled bore with three groove shallow rifling, making it an even more desirable weapon for a southern soldier during the war given the lack of sufficient rifle-muskets. Reportedly it is one of approximately 3,700 rifled under a South Carolina contract that lasted from February through August 1861. Palmetto Armory Model 1842 muskets are described on pages 212-218 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III”, with this exact musket photographed on page 212. It has a bayonet stud on the bottom near the muzzle, blade front sight on the upper barrel band, a dovetailed notch open type fixed rear sight, “SC” marked on the barrel tang and buttplate tang, “V/P/tree” proofs marked on the left side of the barrel at the breech, “W.G&CO.” on the left barrel flat, “PALMETTO ARMORY/S*C” in a circle around a palm tree marked at the center of the lock, “COLUMBIA/S C. 1852” marked on the tail of the lock, brass barrel bands, iron remaining furniture, sling swivels on the middle barrel band and front of the trigger guard, and a “trumpet” head ramrod. Initials “LER” carved in the left stock flat and on the right of the buttstock. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes US socket bayonet, leather sling, and wood tampion. CONDITION: Very good with smooth dark brown patina overall, some scattered light pitting, and sharp markings. Lightly cleaned brass fittings retain an attractive bright color. Stock is also very good with scattered scratches, dents, chips, a small crack behind the lock, and a few hairline cracks on the left of the buttplate. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is good with scattered mild pitting. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 219
Documented Whitney Pattern 1853 Enfield Type Percussion Rifle-Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 58 cal., 40 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Whitney manufactured around 3,500 of these rifle-muskets around 1859-1862. At least 2,000 were purchased by Maryland and primarily captured by Confederate sympathizers during the Baltimore riots, and Georgia received between 1,225-1,700 of them before the outbreak of the Civil War. It has a bayonet stud/
blade front sight, Whitney’s long-range rear sight, “E. WHITNEY” marked lock, brass trigger guard bow, iron trigger guard strap, and boxed “SR” over “15” stamped on the left stock flat. Includes a leather sling and socket bayonet. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. This exact rifle-musket is pictured on pages 473 and 474 and the model is discussed on pages 472-476 in George D. Moller’s “American Military Shoulder Arms, Vol. III.” CONDITION: Very good with a brown-gray patina, some scattered patches of minor pitting and a series of dings towards the muzzle. The wood is fine with a chip at the upper tang and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 220
Civil War Robert Mole Birmingham Production Confederate Sword - Primarily imported by George Tennant of South Carolina, swords manufactured by Robert Mole of Birmingham were brought into the Confederate States for use by both the Army and Navy. The chief feature separating the Confederate arms from Mole’s English Government contract blades the brass guard fitted on the Confederate model. Measuring 36 inches overall, with a gently curved 30 1/2 inch single fuller blade, stamped “MOLE” on the square-backed spine. The stamping is repeated on the single branch brass guard, with a rounded pommel and steel backed checkered leather grips. CONDITION: Good, showing a mixed gray patina on the blade, along with a number of edge dings and some minor pitting. The guard shows signs of heavy
use to match the blade dings, with dents, some upward bending of the cross guard, and a few minor cracks. The grip is fair with some wear and material loss. A scarce Confederate sword. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,500
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. III BY MOLLER
Collector’s Fact
One of approximately 3,500 Whitney Pattern 1853 Enfields produced. Approximately 2,000 were captured by Confederate sympathizers during the Baltimore riots.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. III BY MOLLER
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