April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/12/2023
Originally manufactured for use in the Civil War in 1861 by the Springfield Armory, this M1861 rifle musket has been shortened for cavalry use. The original barrel has been shorted to 28" with the rear sight removed and a small bead front sight added. The percussion lock dated "1861" remains intact, although heavy use has largely obscured the arsenal markings. The original walnut stock has also been shortened, retaining the original nose cap, 2 spring retained bands, and "US" marked butt plate, with a period repaired broken wrist. According to Daniel Hartzler, this converted musket was owned by Dennis Cookson of Uniontown, Maryland who picked it up 2 days after the battle of Antietam. A typed copy of Civil War era diary entries by Cookson is included. CONDITION: Good as converted. The barrel has started to drift to a bronze patina with some cleaned oxidation around the lock. The stock has a few minor marks, remaining very serviceable with the period repaired wrist. Mechanically fine.
Paperwork
Information, Diary Copy