April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
The William Mason contract with their Taunton, Massachusetts factory produced approximately 30,000 Model 1861 US percussion rifles under contract to the United States Government to arm Union troops. Most of the various contract rifles are made to the exact pattern as the Springfield Armory model to retain uniformity. This musket is dated 1864 on lockplate, along with "US Wm MASON TAUNTON" with American eagle. These rifles were finished in the white and featured three barrel bands, ramrod, post front sight, military ladder folding single leaf sight, full length walnut stock, sling swivels, and "US" marked buttplate. Top of barrel dated 1863. Left side of barrel has "VP" proof. Stock is stamped "16" at top of wrist; for rack or unit number. CONDITION: Musket has some light overall salt and pepper finish and has been cleaned to near bright with age freckling. Stock is in excellent condition with a few minor dings. Strong rifled bore with evidence of black powder abrasion that should clean better. Comes with period leather sling with no metal frogs, and a socket bayonet stamped "US" that has also been cleaned and is now in the white. Production and survival rate of these contract muskets is much lower than the mass produced Springfields, therefore much more difficult to locate and a collection of all the various contract manufactures would be a very difficult task to assemble.
Caliber/Bore
.58 Percussion