Page 116 - Auction84-Book1
P. 116

      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
   114
LOT 236
Very Scarce Documented Civil War P.S. Justice Type III Percussion Rifle with Saber Bayonet - Serial no. P125, 58 cal., 35 1/8 inch round
bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured by P.S. Justice of Philadelphia between 1861-1862. These Justice Type III rifles are described on pages 384-385 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III”, with this exact rifle pictured on both pages. The picture caption on page 385 states, “This Justice .58 caliber rifle has an altered and reconfigured Model 1816 musket lock and a tangent leaf rear sight.” Features a pinched blade front sight, right side mounted Model 1855 rifle style bayonet stud for use with a saber bayonet, two brass barrel bands, ladder rear sight graduated up to 800 yards with a 900 yard notch at the top of the ladder, a distinctive brass trigger guard with double
curve profile, Sharps type brass patch box, and brass butt plate. The steel ramrod has a straight shank with tulip head. “P/125”
marked on the underside of the muzzle end of the barrel, on the barrel tang, and rear of the trigger guard. “P.S. JUSTICE/PHILADA” marked on top of the barrel in two lines at the
breech, on the lock plate, and on the blade of the included brass handled saber bayonet which is also marked “P/507” on the guard. Initials “LW” carved inverted into the patchbox compartment. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Also includes a reproduction leather sling. CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining 30% thinning arsenal brown finish on the barrel with some light pitting. The lockplate assembly retains half of the arsenal refurbished casehardened finish strongest on the hammer. Stock is very good with attractive grains, some light scratches and dents, a crack ahead of the lock screw, a crack ahead of the lock, a few small chips behind the lock, some chips ahead of the buttplate tang, and slightly undersized around the buttplate tang and toe. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is good with some dark patina and scattered moderate pitting on the blade. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500 LOT 237 Rare Documented Civil War P.S. Justice Type II Percussion Rifled-Musket with Saber Bayonet - Serial no. P39, 69 cal., 33 1/16 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Manufactured by P.S. Justice of Philadelphia between 1861-1862. These Justice Type II rifles are described on pages 381-384 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III”, with the lock of this exact rifle pictured on page 382. Page 381 of the book states, “Only a handful of examples are known of brass-mounted Justice rifles with barrels retained by lateral flat keys instead of bands. Because these rifles differ significantly from each other, it is possible that they were prototype or sample arms. The barrel lengths of known examples are 40”, 39”, or 33 1/16”.” Features a pinched blade front sight, right side mounted Model 1855 rifle style bayonet stud for use with a saber bayonet, brass end cap with “70 R” stamped on the left side, fixed leaf V notch rear sight, barrel retained by two flat keys, a distinctive brass trigger guard with double curve profile, Sharps type patch box, and brass butt plate. The steel ramrod has a straight shank with tulip head. “P39” marked on top of the barrel behind the front sight. “61” marked on the underside of the barrel towards the muzzle. “P.S. JUSTICE/PHILADA” marked on top of the barrel in two lines behind the rear sight, on the lock plate, and on the blade of the included brass handled saber bayonet which is also marked “P85” on the guard. Also includes a period leather sling. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. CONDITION: Fine with some patches of light pitting, and clear markings in the metal besides the absent head of the eagle on the lock which appears to have been a partial stamp. Stock is very good with attractive grain, some scattered scratches and dents, a gouge on top of the wrist, a few discreet repairs around the lock and at the toe, and slightly undersized at the toe. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is also fine with attractive dark patina on the brass grip with light pitting on the fine blade with otherwise sharp edges. Sling is fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000 LOT 238 Very Scarce Documented Civil War J. Henry & Son Percussion “Minie Rifle” with Bayonet - NSN, 58 cal., 35 inch round bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. Approximately 285 of these “minie rifles” were manufactured from July to August of 1861 by J. Henry & Son (James and Granville Henry), with most sold to Phillip S. Justice who likely sold some, or all, of them to the U.S. Ordnance Department, and the rest were sold to Bethlehem Home Guard, who is believed to be a Pennsylvania militia company. J. Henry & Son “minie rifles” are described on pages 358-359 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III” with this exact rifle pictured on both pages. Page 358 states, “The James Henry records describe as ‘minie rifles’ the two band rifles that have muzzle diameters reduced to accept modified Model 1816-style angular socket bayonets.” Features a blade front and long range Enfield-style tangent leaf rear sight graduated “1” to “4” on the right side of the base and “6” to “8” on the bottom of the ladder with a “10” marked at the top. “J. HENRY/& SON” marked on both the lock and on the left of the breech. Brass fittings throughout including two barrel bands and a Sharps type patch box. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked on the toe of the stock. Includes a US socket bayonet marked “H8” on the socket, period leather sling, and extra nipple in the patch box. CONDITION: Very good, retains traces of original brown finish with moderate flash pitting, some scattered light pitting, and crisp lock markings. Brass retains an attractive golden aged patina. Stock is also very good with scattered scratches and dents, some chips around the lock and behind the upper tang, and slightly undersized at the toe. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is fine with sharp edges and some very light pitting, sling is very good with some light age related wear and cracking. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000 LOT 239 Scarce Documented Civil War J. Henry & Son Percussion “Saber Rifle” - NSN, 58 cal., 35 inch round bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. Approximately 952 of these “saber rifles” were manufactured from September 1861 to March 1862 by J. Henry & Son (James and Granville Henry), with most sold to Phillip S. Justice who likely sold some, or all, of them to the U.S. Ordnance Department, and others were sold to Catasanga Home Guard, who is believed to be a Pennsylvania militia company. J. Henry & Son “saber rifles” are described on pages 361-364 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III” with this exact rifle pictured on page 361. Page 361 states, “James Henry’s first delivery of the rifles he referred to as the ‘saber rifle’ to Phillip S. Justice was on September 11, 1861.” Features a blade front and long range Enfield-style tangent leaf rear sight graduated “1” to “4” on the right side of the base and “5” to “8” on top of the ladder. “J. HENRY/& SON” marked on both the lock and on the left of the breech. Brass fittings throughout including two barrel bands, a “square” trigger guard, and a Sharps type patch box. “281” marked on the right side of the muzzle. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked on the toe of the stock. Includes a period leather sling. CONDITION: Very good with gray patina overall, moderate flash pitting, some scattered light pitting, and crisp lock markings. Brass retains an attractive golden aged patina. Stock is also very good with scattered scratches and dents, some chips around the lock and on the sides of the barrel tang, and slightly undersized at the toe with some chips. Mechanically excellent. Included sling is very good with some light age related wear and cracking. 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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