January 23rd 2016 Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/22/2016
.58 percussion, barrel length 40". Colt manufactured between 75,000-100,000 between 1861-1865. This is one of the so called 2nd Class US rifle muskets that were sold on the civilian market during the Civil War. This example did not pass the stringent government inspection and lacks the US inspector eagle on the bolster. It is known that Colt sold these arms through Schuyler, Hartley, & Graham who often sold these to state militias. For all intents and purposes, it is a mirror of the standard Springfield Model 1863 that features the military folding leaf rear sight, 3 barrel bands stamped "U", butt plate is stamped "US", it has the sling swivels and metal ramrod. Top of butt stock is stamped "EMW". Left side of walnut stock has two inspector stamps and there are two brass plaques inlayed on left side. Lock is stamped "Colt Patented US" dated 1864. No visible date on top of barrel. No "VP" proof on left side of barrel. Front two barrel bands are high polish blue. Rear barrel band is brown patina. Barrel is soft brown and it has had some wiped on finish. It has a strong rifled bore with usual black powder abrasion.