GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
1862 DATED RICHMOND RIFLED MUSKET IN FINE "AS FOUND" CONDITION WITH ORIGINAL VERY RARE RICHMOND ANGULAR BAYONET. RICHMOND MUSKET 1862 NSN 58 Cal. 58. The Richmond Armory was the largest Confederate long arms maker utilizing equipment captured from Harper's Ferry in 1861. Early Richmond's utilized many captured Harper's Ferry parts, but by late '62, guns are predominantly all of Richmond manufacture. Richmond muskets, though the most common Confederate made long arm of the Civil War, are extremely difficult to find in superior "as found" condition as they all saw hard and long use. This gun appears all orig and authentic and totally of Richmond manufacture with the exception of reused Harper's Ferry iron buttplate which has had the US surcharge removed. Musket is marked forward of hammer "C.S. / RICHMOND VA" and "1862" behind hammer. The bbl has matching bbl date of "1862" and a "V / P" bbl proof. The bands all show a centrally-struck Richmond style "U". The ramrod is correct and orig tapered style that are almost as hard to find as the flat sided angular bayonets. The bayonet fits gun well. Julia's has not offered a fine, untouched Richmond musket since the Ben Michel Collection was sold in October, 2009 and cannot ever remember orig musket and bayonet being offered by any source. PROVENANCE: Lifetime Collection of Dr. Zack Catterton. CONDITION: Metal surfaces have dark iron patina with pitting. Rear sling swivel is missing. Rear and front sights appear orig with matching patina. Lock markings are crisp and well struck. 1862 bbl date and "V / P" proof are discernible, but light, as can be seen in photos. Iron buttplate is well fit and has matching patina to rest of gun. Brass nosecap has dark mottled brown/mustard patina. The stock is sound a solid with good edges, hand worn patina and a pair of lightly carved initials "WA" on right side, no doubt denoting the soldier who carried it. There is a large 1" sliver broken out just rear of breech on left side and based on surface, it has been missing since the war. The bore has been reamed to 64 Cal. smooth bore with no discernible rifling. Mechanically, gun functions well. Bayonet is overall grey, lighter than the gun, shows typical laminated flaws always seen on these rare bayonets thought to have been contracted in Raleigh, NC. 51566-11 JS (9,000-12,000) BAYONET