May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/28/2020
Manufactured by the Massachusetts Arms Company located in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts in 1855-1857. Approximately 2,000 were made under contract to the British government for use in the Crimean War. Legend has it that the U.S. Government repurchased some number of these carbines for use in the American Civil War however, there is no substantive evidence to support the claim. Blue with case hardened receiver, lockplate, and hammer. Plain straight grain, oil finished, walnut stock. Saddle ring mounted to rear of bottom tang. 18" round barrel with 16-sided hand grasp section in center of barrel. To open the breech, pull the front trigger (release) and turn the barrel counterclockwise and pull forward. British proof marks on barrel, barrel block, patchbox, barrel hand grasp, and on stock at end of bottom tang. Large crown over the cypher of Queen Victoria "VR" marked on lockplate. Lockplate also marked 3-lines: "MASS ARMS CO./CHICOPEE FALLS/U.S.A. 1856" CONDITION: Excellent with strong traces of original case color on lockplate and hammer. 90% original bright blue on breech half of barrel, muzzle half of barrel, forward of hand grasp has turned a dark brown patina with scatter light pitting. Bore is excellent, bright and clean. Stock is excellent showing modest wear with a few scattered dents. Spurious "U.S." stamp located on left side, heel of the buttstock. -MKS-
Caliber/Bore
.54 Percussion