Page 110 - 83-BOOK1

LOT 1153
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. III BY MOLLER
Documented Early Production Brass Mounted Two Band
U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1855 Type I Percussion Rifle Dated 1858 with Long Range Sight, Unique Attachable Rifleman’s Crosshair Sight, and Bayonet - NSN, 58 cal., 33 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Model 1855 rifles are described in depth on pages 260-267 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III”, with this exact rifle photographed on pages 262, 263, and 264 under the description for the Type I variation. According to page 262 of Moller’s book, approximately 3,545 Model 1855 Type I
rifles were fabricated at Harpers Ferry c. 1857-1859. The limited number of Harpers Ferry Model 1855 rifles saw heavy use throughout the Civil War, and many were destroyed when the factory was burned in 1861,
with Flayderman’s Guide stating, “... of the approximate 3,450 Model 1855 rifles then on hand and destroyed in
the fire, approximately 2,800 of them were the brass mounted types. That clearly accounts for the scarcity of the brass mounted version.” This example has the early brass fittings, casehardened lock, browned barrel, dated “1858” on the lock and barrel tang with the standard front
sight/bayonet lug, early long range style rear sight graduated 1-5 on the base and 6-9 on the ladder, standard lock and barrel proof markings, oval “SB” (inspector Samuel
Byington) cartouche on the left flat, “US” and “41” marked on the buttplate tang. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes saber bayonet, brass tipped leather scabbard, Watervliet Arsenal leather sling, brass tipped wood tampion, rare rifleman’s attachable double ring crosshair sight and nipple in the patch box, and an extra rifleman’s attachable crosshair sight. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 60% dark brown finish on the barrel with the balance a brown patina, and 95% vivid refinished case colors on the lock. Stock is fine with scattered dents and scratches, two collection tag pin holes and faint red painted numbers on the right rear of the stock. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet and scabbard are both fine with some patches of mild pitting on the end of the blade and light wear on the scabbard. A solid representative example of an early production brass mounted well documented Harpers Ferry Model 1855 rifle. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 1154
Documented Civil War Era Half-Stock “Turner” Percussion Rifle with Engraved Patriotic Eagle Accents - NSN, 54 cal., 32 7/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle is pictured and discussed on pages 449-450 of “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume III: Flintlock Alterations and Muzzleloading Percussion Shoulder Arms, 1840-1865” by George Moller and has his “GDM” collection stamp marked a few times on the toe plate. He notes that this rifle is similar to others manufactured in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, and that the bar type bayonet lug on the right side near the muzzle for the “BAHN FREI” marked sword bayonets used on some of these “Turner rifles.” These militarized sporting rifles have been called “Turner rifles” because they are associated with the German immigrants associated with the Turnvereine/Turners movement who established new clubs throughout the U.S. Given their dedication to democracy and republican government, many were devoted to the preservation of their new country, and over 200,000 foreign born German immigrants served in the Union Army and formed ethnic units in all 17 Union states. The rifle has dovetailed blade front
and screw adjustable notch rear sights, unmarked back action lock, a single set trigger, a German silver forend cap, brass forend wear plate, German silver oval wedge and left flat escutcheons, brass flat bottom trigger guard with small spur, a brass patch box similar to the well-known “National Road” design with pierced side plates, brass buttplate and toe plate with three cap compartments, a German silver spread wing eagle inlay on the cheek rest, and an elaborate
German silver accent plate between the buttplate tang and toe plate with a spread wing eagle and foliage. CONDITION: Very good with crisp engraving on the German silver accents, a smooth aged patina on the furniture, a mottled gray and brown patina on the
lock and barrel, some darker patches on the barrel near the middle ramrod pipe which has been re-soldered, gap between the barrel and standing breech, and mild overall wear. The stock is also very good and has a repaired crack along the right side of the forend, a small chip above the front of the lock from the
mainspring, thin tension crack on the left flat, and mild dings and scratches.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Collector’s Fact
According to author George Moller, approximately only 3,545 U.S. Springfield Model 1855 Type I rifles were produced, with a limited number seeing extensive use in the Civil War, due to the majority of these rifles being destroyed in the Harpers Ferry factory fire in 1861.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. III BY MOLLER
108
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500