November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle musket manufactured by JP Moore of New York, New York and dated 1863. Moore was a subcontractor for Colt. Originally thought to be Confederate, these rare rifled muskets have been more recently researched and accepted as being made by Moore for the United States with a combination of English and American parts. 39" barrel in .58 caliber with blade front sight and folding ladder military rear sight. Barrel is unmarked with the exception of "T&B" on the left side above the woodline. Upon inspection of the inside of the lock, an identical "T&B" marking can be found on the right upper edge of the plate. Lock is marked "1863" forward of hammer with a spread winged eagle on top of a starred and striped shield with a small "M" marking inside it. 1-piece plain walnut stock with brass nosecap, 3 iron barrel bands, brass trigger guard, and unmarked brass buttplate. Complete with US marked socket bayonet. Accompanying this lot is a folder which includes notes on configuration, a summary of Private Johnathan L. Allison's service history, including copies of his muster rolls and pension records. Most importantly, the folder also contains a handwritten letter dated April 3, 1966 attributing this rifled musket to Private Johnathan L. Allison. The letter was drafted by his granddaughter and states that this rifled musket was “the property of Jonathan L. Allison”. Born in Pennsylvania in 1834, Allison was a 31-year-old farmer in Adams County, when he enlisted in the 165th Pennsylvania Militia at Gettysburg and mustered into Company F as a private on November 10, 1862. The unit moved to Washington on December 8 and then to Suffolk, Virginia, where it joined the 7th Corp. Elements of the regiment took part in the expedition to Blackwater, the fight at Deserted House, the defense of Suffolk against Longstreet, the Weldon Railroad raid in May 1863, and movement toward Richmond during Lee’s absence in the Gettysburg campaign. Allison mustered out with the regiment at Gettysburg on July 28, 1863. He reenlisted on March 13, 1865, mustering into Company G of the 101st Pennsylvania, which was reorganizing after losing most of its members as prisoners in the siege and surrender of Plymouth, North Carolina, in April 1864. He mustered out with the unit on June 25, 1865, and returned to civilian life and later moved to Maryland. Allison passed away in 1916. CONDITION: Excellent for its age and in untouched attic condition, with barrel formed an even brown patina with heavy freckling near bolster from extensive use. Brass components have turned dark with age. Stock retains a large majority of its original finish with 2 small cracks near buttplate. Mechanically fine. Bore is dark with visible 3 groove rifling. Bayonet is good as turned a dark patina with scattered areas of heavy freckling.
Paperwork
Folder with Research