GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
FINE AND RARE PALMETTO ARMORY RIFLED MUSKET. PALMETTO MUSKET NSN 69 Cal 69. 42″ rifled bbl. Only a small percentage of these smooth bore muskets were converted to rifled muskets as is this one, which also entailed the addition of a fixed rear sight, which is present here. The markings on breech of bbl include "S.C." which is seen only on a small percentage of these arms. "V" over "P" over "Palmetto Tree" are well stamped and discernible as is the rare variant "W.G&CO." at breech of bbl which are seen in photographs. There is no bbl date on breech tang, but it is smooth and never had one. Lock is smooth and gray with crisp "Palmetto Armory, S*C" around a Palmetto tree forward of lock and rear of lock is well struck "Columbia/S.C. 1852". Buttplate also has "SC" surcharge. See attached excellent American Society of Arms Collectors bulletin on Palmetto rifles by Dr. Fred Novy with interesting comments concerning the bbl proofs showing that Palmetto utilized Springfield 1842 inspected bbls, stamping the Palmetto tree proof over Springfield eagle head proofs such as example here. This is a very fine example of an all orig Palmetto musket which is well marked complete and orig. PROVENANCE: The Confederate and Civil War estate collection of Fred Donaldson. CONDITION: Very good overall, complete and orig. This gun is actually quite fine for a surviving Confederate long arm. Metal is smooth and gray with areas of staining and pitting. Bore shows very discernible rifling with apparent little use as there is little pitting at bolster. Buttplate is gray with scattered scratches, scuffs and dings, scattered staining and pitting and exhibits a deeply struck "SC" surcharge. Brass bands have light mustard patina. Stock is sound and solid with typical cosmetic blemishes, hand worn patina. Mechanically sound with well defined rifle bore. 52430-19 JS (7,000-9,000)