Page 84 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1182
Documented U.S. Harpers Ferry Type
IIA Alteration Model 1841 Percussion “Mississippi Rifle” - NSN, 54
cal., 33 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Model 1841 is the first official percussion
rifle adopted by the U.S. Military. Harpers Ferry Armory manufactured 25,296 Model 1841 rifles between 1846 and 1855, with most of these rifles receiving various alterations. Harpers Ferry Type IIA alteration Model 1841 rifles are described on pages 143-144 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume III”, with this exact rifle pictured on page 143 with one caption that states, “Harpers Ferry (Type IIA) Rifles are equipped with slide pattern rear sights, short upper barrel bands, and bayonet lugs with guide keys.”and another caption that states,“The base of the Type IIA rifles’slide pattern rear sight is graduated‘200,’‘3,’and‘4.’The leaf is graduated from‘5’to‘8’on its upper surface, and ‘9’ at the end. [the leaf on this example ends at 10]” The same page states, “Some of the 449 new rifles fabricated at Harpers Ferry in fiscal 1855 may have been of this configuration. It is believed that rifles of this configuration were issued to the Sioux expedition and to the Fourth and Sixth infantry regiments.”“1854” dated lock and “1855” dated barrel tang. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes period leather sling, tool and extra nipple in the patch box. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% plus original brown finish on the barrel with some areas of finish wear concentrated at the muzzle and on top of the middle of the barrel, and some light surface corrosion on the bolster. 75% plus vivid arsenal refurbished case colors concentrated on the lock plate with muted colors on the hammer. Crisp markings in the metal overall. Brass retains attractive bright surfaces. Stock is very fine as lightly sanded and re-oiled with some light scratches, a repaired section at the left of the barrel tang, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1183
Leman State of Pennsylvania Alteration Tryon U.S. Model 1841 Percussion “Mississippi Rifle” with Bayonet - Serial no. 174, 58 cal., 33 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. George W. Tryon of Philadelphia manufactured approximately 5,000 Model 1841 rifles on contract between 1846-1848. This example has been period altered by Henry E. Leman, of which he performed alterations on a reported 2,352 Model 1841 rifles on contract with the state of Pennsylvania. Leman alteration Model 1841 rifles are described on pages 168-169 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III” in which a picture caption on page 168 states, “Henry Leman altered Model 1841 rifles to .58 caliber and to accept Model 1840 angular socket bayonets for the commonwealth of Pennsylvania by turning down the muzzles, and installing bayonet lugs and new front sights.”“TRYON/US”marked at the center of the lock in front of the hammer and “PHILADa/Pa/1848” vertically behind the hammer. “U.S./JOB” and “V/P” marked upper left breech end of the barrel and “STEEL/174” (174 partly hidden by the wood line) marked on the left barrel flat. “1852” dated barrel tang. Two inspector cartouches “SH” and “WAT” (William A. Thornton) are stamped on the left stock flat. “174” marked on the buttplate tang. Brown barrel, casehardened lock and hammer, and brass mountings. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the
stock. Includes a US socket bayonet, period leather sling, tools and an extra nipple inside the patchbox. CONDITION: Very good, retaining a mix of original brown finish and mottled brown patina on the barrel, gray and brown patina on the lock, and mostly clear markings in the metal. Brass retains an attractive patina with some darker areas at the edges. Stock is also good as lightly period sanded with scattered dents and scratches, a crack ahead of the rear lock screw, light chips behind the nipple bolster, behind the barrel tang, at the toe, and nice cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very good with some scattered light pitting, sling is also very good. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1184
Documented State of New Jersey Alteration Whitney U.S. Model 1841 Percussion “Mississippi Rifle” with Bayonet - NSN, 54 cal., 33 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Model 1841 is the first official percussion rifle adopted by the U.S. Military. Eli Whitney manufactured a total of approximately 26,500 Model 1841 rifles between 1843-1855, with most of these rifles receiving various alterations. New Jersey alteration Model 1841 rifles are described on pages 169-170 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume III”, with the muzzle end of this exact rifle pictured on page 169 next to the caption, “The New Jersey State Arsenal altered Model 1841 rifles by turning down the barrel to accept a European angular socket bayonet. The original front sight was not replaced.” The muzzle end of this exact rifle is also pictured on page 170 with a bayonet affixed next to the caption, “The bayonets for Model 1841 rifles altered at the New Jersey State Arsenal were equipped with a front sight.” The lock is marked “N.HAVEN/1850” at the tail and “E.WHITNEY/US” at the center. “1851” (very faint) dated barrel tang. “N.J” (New Jersey) inspection mark on the left barrel flat at the breech and on the left flat of the stock. Two bordered script inspection cartouches marked on the left flat including “WAT” (William A. Thornton). “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes socket bayonet, period leather sling, and tools in the patch box. CONDITION: Good with mottled brown and gray patina on the iron surfaces, some light pitting, and crisp lock markings. Brass retains an attractive golden aged patina. Stock is about good with scattered dents and scratches, some mild gouges on both sides of the forend and on top of the wrist, a crack ahead of the rear lock screw, a crack ahead of the lock, and some chips behind the barrel tang. Mechanically fine. Included bayonet is good with gray/brown patina, sling is very good. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
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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