Page 85 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1185
Very Scarce Documented U.S. Springfield Short “Cadet” Percussion Rifle-Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 58 cal., 36 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. These Springfield Short “Cadet” Rifle-Muskets are described on pages 336-338 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume III” with this exact rifle pictured on page 336 next to the caption “This Springfield rifle musket has a 36” barrel with two bands. It is speculated that it may have been one of the second or third quality ‘Short Springfield’ arms remanufactured at the armory from Model 1861 and 1863 components following the Civil War.” These armory manufactured short rifle-muskets are not to be confused with the later Bannerman altered cadet style rifle-muskets. Page 336 of the book states, “The short rifle muskets made up at Springfield Armory were discussed in a June 27, 1866, letter from Brevet Captain C. C. Chaffee at Springfield to Chief of Ordnance Brevet Major General A. B. Dyer: ‘There are now at the Armory ready for issue, several hundred repaired arms corresponding to the rifled musket of 1864, except that the barrels and stocks are four inches shorter, and they have two bands instead of three. They are handsome and closely resemble the Cadet Musket.’” Solid blade front and 500 yard two-leaf rear sight. Casehardened “1864” dated “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” marked lock. “1864” (partial) dated on the top flat of the breech with a star ahead of “V/P/eagle head” proofs marked on the top left flat of the breech, a single letter “M” inspection initial marked on the left flat of the breech, and a single letter “C” inspection initial marked on the left of the rear sight. The late rifle-musket lock is equipped with a Model 1861 style hammer, and the barrel has a Model 1861 style nipple bolster. The left stock flat does not appear to have had any inspection cartouches as typically seen on a standard Civil War era full length Springfield rifle-musket, and the stock itself appears to have been armory fabricated specifically for this shorter length rifle-musket. “US” marked buttplate tang. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a US socket bayonet and reproduction leather sling. CONDITION: Fine retaining mostly bright surfaces with some scattered brown spotting and some light pitting on the barrel. Casehardened lock turned to a smooth gray with traces of original case colors on the hammer. Stock is very fine with defined edges, some light scratches and dents, a small chip ahead of the trigger guard, and attractive raised grain. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very good with scattered light pitting. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1186
U.S. Harpers Ferry Type IB Alteration Model 1841 Percussion “Mississippi Rifle” with Desirable Long Range “Screw Pattern” Rear Sight - 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 IB alteration Model 1841 rifles are described on pages 142-143 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume III”, in which it states on page 142, “During fiscal 1855, 1,041 existing rifles were returned to Harpers Ferry Armory from Washington Arsenal and altered at Harpers Ferry to this configuration... The original fixed rear sight was removed and the dovetail was widened to 1/2” to accept the ‘screw pattern’ long-range rear sight... These rifles have lockplates and barrel tangs dated ‘1854’ [this example is dated 1855]. The muzzle’s face is often stamped with an alphanumeric bayonet mating number, such as ‘C10’ [the muzzle of this example is marked ‘D10’]. This matches a number stamped in the barrel ring of the bayonet fitted to this rifle.” Brass blade front sight and projecting bayonet stud with guide key. The leaf of the rear sight is graduated from “3” to “7”. “WW/P” and “V/P/eagle head” proofs at the breech, “1855”
dated lock and barrel tang, and “B 39” marked buttplate tang. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes reproduction leather sling, tools and an extra nipple in the patch box.
CONDITION: Very good with scattered patches of light pitting, and crisp markings in the metal. Brass retains an attractive bright patina. Stock is good as period re-oiled with scattered light scratches and dents, a chip to the left of the barrel, a mild crack and a chip to the right of the barrel, cracks behind the barrel tang, a crack behind the lock, a crack ahead of the rear sideplate screw, and some absent slivers at the toe. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 1187
Civil War U.S. Springfield Model 1863 Type II Percussion Rifle-Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 58 cal., 40 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Approximately 255,000 Model 1863 Type II, also known as Model 1864, rifle-muskets were manufactured in 1864-1865. These Type IIs are nearly identical to the Model 1863 Type I before it, but now with spring retained barrel bands and typically with a simplified single leaf rear sight. This example, dated “1863” on the lock and barrel, falls in the transitional period and still has a Type I two leaf sight (has a replacement leaf ). These rifles are significant in the history of U.S. martial arms, as they armed Union troops and saw widespread use in the latter years of the Civil War. They are the last U.S. regulation muzzle loading arm. The left stock flat is marked with two bordered script inspection cartouches including that of Springfield Master Armorer Erskine S. Allin. “US” marked buttplate tang. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes US socket bayonet, scabbard with frog, and reproduction leather sling. CONDITION: Very good with some scattered light spotting on the otherwise bright surfaces of the barrel, and dark patina and corrosion on the buttplate. The casehardened lock displaying a smooth gray surface with sharp markings, and the hammer retains strong original casehardened finish. Stock is also very good with defined edges, scattered scratches and dents, a chipped/absent section at the left of the forend, a few absent slivers at the top edge of the left flat, an absent section beneath the hammer, a repaired section ahead of the buttplate tang, a crack at the top right of the buttplate, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very good with scattered light pitting. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 1188 Civil War U.S. Springfield Model 1863 Type II Percussion Rifle-Musket - NSN, 58 cal., 40 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Reportedly 255,040 Model 1863 Type II, also known as Model 1864, rifle-muskets were manufactured in 1864-1865. These Type IIs are nearly identical to the Model 1863 Type I before it, but now with spring retained barrel bands and a simplified single leaf rear sight. This example is dated “1864” on the lock and barrel. These rifles are significant in the history of U.S. martial arms, as they armed Union troops and saw widespread use in the latter years of the Civil War. They are the last U.S. regulation muzzle loading arm. The left stock flat is marked with two script inspection cartouches including “ESA” of Erskine S. Allin. CONDITION: Very good with dull polished surfaces visible on the barrel and fittings, lightly faded markings in the metal, 80% case colors on the lock plate with scattered light freckling overall. Stock is fine as lightly sanded and re-oiled with some light scratches and dents and nice cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. III BY MOLLER
83