January 11th 2014 Gun Sale (01)
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2014
Rare 1863 Musket, .58 Cal. James Mulholland contract with Miller conversion. Manufactured in 1863. Any Parker Snow/Meriden CT marked musket is relatively rare and hard-to-find and most are encountered with the 1864 date. This example is one of only 5,502 delivery in 1863 under the James Mulholland contract of 1861. It is also the rarely seen two-band Musketoon version with a 31" barrel. The percussion action lock was converted between 1865 and 1867 with the Miller style conversion to a .58 caliber breechloader. Only 2,000 muskets of any configuration received this conversion. The musket shows its armory "white" finish throughout, just turning to a mottled gray/brown patina. The markings are all sharp and crisp and the action cocks and fired tight. The Miller conversion is complete and functions perfectly, including the spring loaded retracting cartridge extractor. The bore is excellent, hardly showing any signs of being fired. Correct and original front and rear sighed, "U" inspected barrel bands, and US marked buttplate. Original sling swivels and ramrod are present. The wood is 100% untouched and shows nice patina and color. There are some age handling marks here and there on the buttstock and a rack number "13" is stamped just behind the trigger guard. There is one old hairline crack running back about four inches from the fore end cap on the left side, but it is hardly worth noting. A very unusual variant of the M1861 and in very nice condition.