April 27-30, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/29/2021
Springfield Model 1851 percussion cadet musket, dated 1851. Being made in the first year of manufacture, it is likely that this gun was one of the first 500 sent to the Virginia Military Institute by order of US President Zachary Taylor. The first approximately 300 were sent in May 1851 and were browned with a color case hardened lock with the second wave of about 200 being sent of August 1851 and were "National Armory Bright". Essentially, the Model 1851 was a scaled down US Model 1842 Musket produced for the U.S. military institutes such as West Point and VMI and also saw action in the American Civil War on both sides. 40" round barrel in .57 smoothbore with front barrel band blade front sight with no rear sight present. Lock is marked "SPRING / FIELD / 1851" behind cock with standard US eagle with shield over "US" in front of cock. Barrel has standard "VP" over eagle proof on left side with "1851" date on tang near breech. 1 piece plain walnut stock in 3 barrel band configuration with sling swivels mounted on second barrel band and front of trigger guard. Butt plate is marked "US" with "18" below top butt plate screw, this was likely a rack number. CONDITION: Very good as lightly cleaned with areas of patina and storage marks throughout. Ramrod is a replacement and is not full length. Stock is good with areas of chipping near bottom and rear of lock. Large area of wood loss near barrel tang. Action works appropriately and holds on both full and half cock. Bore is dark. A very interesting cadet musket fit for any Civil War era musket collection. -TN-
Item Dimensions: L: 55 - 1/2".
Caliber/Bore
.57 Smoothbore