July 30th 2016 Premier Firearms Sale (20)
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/30/2016
Round 40” barrels in .58 caliber center fire with front bayonet lug sight and rear single leaf sight. Breech altered with Needham breech loading conversion, which opens from the right side when hammer is cocked. Altered lock with front portion cut away to fit conversion. Marked “BRIDESBURG” with eagle motif forward of hammer and “1862” on the tail. Standard steel furniture, sling swivels, steel tulip ramrod. Butt plate tang stamped “US”. Walnut stock. Complete with “US” marked bayonet with triangular with 18” blade and a period unfired .58 caliber cartridge for this musket. Good condition, all steel components with dark grey patina and pitting overall. Stock sanded and worn at edges, scattered marks from use. Bayonet has been cleaned, scattered areas of dark spots and light pitting. A total of 5,020 muskets were converted in Trenton, New Jersey by Needham, an English company, for use by the Fenians for a planned Canadian invasion. An interesting history and a unique conversion.