Page 99 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1230
Historic Iron Mounted Civil War U.S. Contract Merrill Breech Loading Percussion Rifle Inscribed to William L. Lutzman of the 1st Indiana Heavy Artillery - Serial no. 1469, 54 cal., 33 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
Collector’s Fact
One of only 770 Merrill rifles were manufactured for the U.S. Ordnance Department.
finish, walnut stock. With leather sling and wood muzzle plug, cracked stock Reportedly, only 770 Merrill rifles
were manufactured by James H. Merrill for the U.S. Ordnance Department between 1862- 1865. These rifles are generally considered to be among the rarest and most sought-after
percussion rifles of the war. These rifles were also issued in limited numbers to sharpshooters in Michigan, Arkansas, and Massachusetts regiments. The 21st Indiana Volunteer Infantry (1st Indiana Heavy Artillery)
Regiment are the only known regiment to be armed almost entirely with these rifles. This example is inscribed “William Lutzman” in fancy script on the underside of the brass trigger guard, who has been found to very likely be William L. Lutzman, a Union soldier with Company K of the 1st Indiana Heavy Artillery! The 1st Indiana Heavy Artillery Regiment was involved in numerous battles throughout the Civil War between 1862-1865 including the Battle of Baton Rouge, Bayou Teche Campaign, Siege of Port Hudson, Battle of Mobile Bay, Battle of Spanish Fort, and the Battle of Fort Blakely. It should be noted that this rare example is fitted with iron barrel bands and an iron patchbox; unlike the majority of these Merrill rifles that are brass mounted. Matching serial number “1469” marked on the top rear of the breech lever
and on the tail of the lock. Modern replacement flip-up two leaf rear sight. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a reproduction leather sling. CONDITION: Good with dark brown patina and scattered moderate pitting visible on the barrel evident of period use. Refinished blue finish visible on the lock with gray and brown patina and some light pitting on the balance, and refinished blue finish on the bands, rear sight, lower tang, sideplate and patchbox. Attractive age darkened golden patina on the brass fittings, and defined markings in the metal overall. Stock is good with some scattered dents and scratches, some chipped/absent sections at the front of the sideplate, small chips behind the sideplate, a crack ahead of the trigger guard tang, a crack at the left rear of the upper tang, and a small crack ahead of the buttplate tang. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1231
Documented U.S. Springfield Model 1847 Artillery Alteration of a Cavalry Percussion Musketoon with Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 26 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Artillery alterations
of Model 1847 Cavalry musketoons are described on pages 228-230 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III” with this exact musketoon pictured at the top of page 230 above the caption, “In 1858-1859, 630 cavalry musketoons were altered to the artillery musketoon configuration.” The brass front barrel band has a blade front sight on the forward strap. This example has standard markings including an “1851” dated lock and barrel tang, and a boxed script inspection cartouche on the left stock flat. Upside down initials that appear to read “TI” are carved into the left of the buttstock flat with filler inside the carving. Four tally marks are scratched into the toe of the stock. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a “U.S.” marked socket bayonet. CONDITION: Very good with mostly bright surfaces, scattered patches of minor pitting, attractive golden aged patina on the brass fittings, and sharp markings in the metal. Stock is also very good scattered scratches and dents, some chips on the edges of the ramrod channel, a chip behind the lock, a small crack at the top right of the buttplate, carving and tally marks noted above. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is also good with some light pitting and sharp edges. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1232 U.S. Springfield Joslyn Breech Loading Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. M1651, 50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 35 5/8 inch round bbl., bright/blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Joslyn rifle was the first breech loading metallic cartridge rifle manufactured at a U.S. national armory. Reportedly, 3,007 were assembled at Springfield Armory in January to June of 1865 utilizing breech units supplied by the Joslyn Firearms Company. 1,600, including this one, were converted to centerfire from their previous rimfire configuration and rechambered for use with the .50-70 Government cartridge. Most of these were reassembled with little regard to matching numbers and sold to the French during the Franco- Prussian War, and some were later turned into shotguns for civilian sales, making .50-70 rifles like this scarce. It has a fixed blade front sight that doubles as a bayonet lug and Model 1864 style rifle-musket rear sight, “M/2803” marked on top of the breechblock, “M/1561” on the upper tang, “1864” and eagle behind “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” on the lock. “G.B.A.” inspection initials marked in the stock behind the trigger guard tang. Includes a US socket bayonet and Reuben Nece Philadelphia leather sling. CONDITION: Fine, retaining its attractive bright surfaces on the barrel and fittings with a few spots of very light freckling, 60% original blue finish on the rear sight with brown patina on the balance, most of the arsenal refinished oil-quenched casehardened finish remaining on the breechblock, and 90% vivid arsenal refinished case colors on the lock. Stock is fine as refinished with defined edges, scattered dents and scratches, some small chips at the front of the lock, chips behind the barrel tang, and two pin sized holes on the right of the buttstock. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is good with scattered mild pitting. The sling is very good with some light cracking and age related wear. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,250
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. III BY MOLLER
97