Page 80 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1172
Rare Civil War Era Lindner Patent Breech Loading Saddle Ring Carbine Conversion of an Austrian Model 1842 Jaeger Percussion Rifle - Serial no. 1046, 58 cal., 19 3/8 inch part octagon
bbl., bright finish, hardwood stock. This seldom encountered
surviving example is one of approximately 3,000 Austrian rifles of
two types, including the Model 1842 Jaeger rifles and Model 1854 Extra Corps rifles, reported to have been converted to
the Lindner breech loading system and transformed to carbine configuration with a saddle ring as a means of attempting to attract U.S. Government interest
for purchase; with part of the work performed by the American Edward Lindner’s shop overseas in Hamburg and shipped back to the United States to Amoskeag
Manufacturing Company where they were “altered and finished” between 1860-62. Approximately 400 of these Austrian Lindner conversion carbines were sold by sales agent
Samuel Smith to the U.S. Government in November of 1861 (not to be confused with the “First Type” that is listed in Flayderman’s Guide, of which it has recently been discovered that
it incorrectly includes this delivery of these Austrian conversions in its total) and it is said that some were used by Colonel Thornton F. Brodhead’s 1st Michigan Cavalry regiment during the Civil War.
Detailed information about these early Lindner Austrian conversion carbines can be found in the book “Lindner Carbines and Rifles” by Edward A. Hull on pages 64-87. Page 71 of the book states, “The carbines
issued to the 1st Michigan Cavalry may have seen service at the Second Battle of Bull Run, August 28-30, 1862 (where Col. Brodhead suffered a mortal
wound). By December, 1862 the regiment had been rearmed with 385 Sharps carbines and these Lindner carbines disappear from the record.” No other U.S.
deliveries of these carbines are known, with the majority reported to have been later sold to South America and used by Brazil and Argentina. Page 87 of
Edward Hull’s book states, “From the scarcity of examples today it would appear that even those that were used here in the Civil War were subsequently sold
out of the country... the author has located only nine ‘Austrian carbine’ conversions remaining in the U.S.... the converted ‘Austrian carbine’ is today among
the most rare of Civil War issue carbines.” The top of the breech block is marked “EDWARD LINDNER’S/PATENT,/MARCH 29, 1859.” (partially legible markings)
in reference to Lindner’s U.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 counterclockwise 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 by acting as a cover around the breech while utilizing its threaded screw system to pull the chamfered face of the breech block tightly against
the breech end of the barrel. Features blade front and flip-up notch rear sights, number “456” marked on the underside of the breech block, trigger guard,
locking “screw-sleeve”, barrel, and inside of the stock channel, “L&Z 1046” marked on the right side of the breech block, and “850” marked at the center of the
Austrian lock. The stock has a saddle bar and ring on the left and brass furniture. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock.
CONDITION: Very good, exhibiting smooth gray patina with varnished over scattered moderate pitting. Stock is good with some light handling marks, several
horizontal cracks visible ahead of the lock and ahead of the side plate escutcheon, a filled in section where a patchbox used to be and on the bottom of the buttstock where a sling swivel used to be (both likely done at the time of the conversion). Mechanically excellent. A unique opportunity to acquire a Lindner Austrian Model 1842 conversion, one of the rarest Civil War era breech loading saddle ring carbines extant!
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 1173
Rare Civil War Era Lindner Patent Breech Loading Saddle Ring
Carbine Conversion of an Austrian Model 1854 Extra Corps Percussion Rifle - Serial no. 486, 55 cal., 19 7/8
inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood stock. This seldom encountered surviving example is one of approximately 3,000 Austrian
rifles of two types, including the Model 1842 Jaeger rifles and Model 1854 Extra Corps rifles, reported to have been converted to the Lindner breech loading
system and transformed to carbine configuration with a saddle ring as a means of attempting to attract U.S. Government interest for purchase; with part of the work
performed by the American Edward Lindner’s shop overseas in Hamburg and shipped back to the United States to Amoskeag Manufacturing Company where they were “altered and finished”
between 1860-62. Approximately 400 of these Austrian Lindner conversion carbines were sold by sales agent Samuel Smith to the U.S. Government in November of 1861 (not to be confused with
the “First Type” that is listed in Flayderman’s Guide, of which it has recently been discovered that it incorrectly includes this delivery of these Austrian conversions in its total) and it is said that some were used
by Colonel Thornton F. Brodhead’s 1st Michigan Cavalry regiment during the Civil War. Detailed information about these early Lindner Austrian conversion
carbines can be found in the book “Lindner Carbines and Rifles” by Edward A. Hull on pages 64-87. Page 71 of the book states, “The carbines issued to the 1st
Michigan Cavalry may have seen service at the Second Battle of Bull Run, August 28-30, 1862 (where Col. Brodhead suffered a mortal wound). By December,
1862 the regiment had been rearmed with 385 Sharps carbines and these Lindner carbines disappear from the record.” No other U.S. deliveries of these
carbines are known, with the majority reported to have been later sold to South America and used by Brazil and Argentina. Page 87 of Edward Hull’s book
states, “From the scarcity of examples today it would appear that even those that were used here in the Civil War were subsequently sold out of the country...
the author has located only nine ‘Austrian carbine’ conversions remaining in the U.S.... the converted ‘Austrian carbine’ is today among the most rare of Civil
War issue carbines.” The locking “screw-sleeve” and breech block on this rifle are both marked with serial number “486” on the underside, and the breech
block is marked “EDWARD LINDNER’S/PATENT,/MARCH 29, 1859.” (very faint, illegible) on top in reference to Lindner’s U.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 to counterclockwise 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 by acting as a cover around the breech
while utilizing it’s threaded screw system to pull the chamfered face of the breech block tightly against the breech end of the barrel. This carbine has blade
and notch sights, “W/L&Z 486” marked on the right side of the breechblock, “486” on the bottom of the barrel hidden beneath the forend cap and on some of
the small components, and some other small markings. The stock has a saddle ring on the left and primarily brass furniture. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock.
CONDITION: Very good, exhibiting a mix of gray and brown patina with scattered patches of light to moderate pitting and period wear. Stock is also very good with some light handling marks, some chips around the edges of the lock and on the left side of the stock, cracks on the left front around the small brass screw plate and on the top and bottom of the buttstock, and a filled in section on the bottom of the buttstock where a sling swivel used to be. Mechanically excellent. A unique opportunity to acquire a Lindner Austrian Model 1854 conversion, one of the rarest Civil War era breech loading saddle ring carbines extant!
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
Collector’s Fact
One of approximately 3,000 Austrian rifles converted to carbines with the Linder breech loading system. Found in two types, including Model 1842 Jaeger rifle, like this example, and the Model 1854 Extra Corps rifle, like the following lot.
Collector’s Fact
One of approximately 3,000 Austrian rifles converted to carbines with the Linder breech loading system. Found in two types, including Model 1842 Jaeger rifle, like the previous example, and the Model 1854 Extra Corps rifle, like this lot.
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