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LOT 3187 Exceptional Civil War U.S. Springfield Model 1861 Percussion Rifle-Musket Dated 1862 - NSN, 58 cal., 40 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The Springfield Model 1861 rifle-musket was the primary shoulder arm used by the Union infantry during the Civil War. Most of these Model 1861s saw heavy use in virtually all of the major battles of the war. Marked “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” at the center of the lock, as manufactured by the Springfield Armory, ahead of an eagle and shield and the date
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“1862” at the tail of the lock to match the “1862” dated barrel. Front sight doubling as a bayonet lug and blued rear sight with 100, 300 and 500 yard flip-up leafs. The left stock flat is stamped with two boxed script inspection cartouches including “ESA” of Springfield Armory’s Master Armorer, Erskine S. Allin. “US” and “H/32” marked buttplate tang.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining most of its Armory bright surfaces with scattered light surface freckling, 60% faded original blue finish on the rear sight, and absolutely sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is very fine with defined edges, numerous scattered scratches, nicks and dents; and visible cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3188
Unique Prototype Merlett Patent Breech Loading Conversion U.S. Springfield Rifle-Musket -
NSN, 58 RF cal., 32 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This is a likely one-of-a-kind U.S. rifle-musket converted to the Merlett breech loading system for use with .58 rimfire cartridges c. 1868. John Merlett of Bound Book, New Jersey, obtained U.S. patent number 81,283 dated August 18th, 1868, in relation to this breech loading firearm design. At the conclusion of the Civil War, the U.S. Government found itself with a surplus of hundreds of thousands of muzzle loading rifle-muskets that were quickly becoming obsolete due to the introduction of breech loading cartridge arms. The most cost-effective solution to keep up with the rapidly advancing arms technology was to convert these muzzle loading rifle-muskets to breech loaders, and they entertained numerous inventors’ designs for potential systems of conversion. This Merlett patented breech loader is one of the many ideas that got thrown in the hat and the only
example known to this writer to exist today. When the hammer is cocked, the breech block swings to the right automatically for loading, under
pressure from a spring, and has a built in spring-loaded extractor. The hammer uses a linked locking mechanism (broken, no longer attached to the hammer)
that interfaces with the right rear edge of the breech block. The lock is marked “1864” at the rear with “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” at the center. The conversion breech section has no visible markings. CONDITION: Good with scattered dark colored light pin-prick pitting, and the upper tang sits slightly proud. Stock is very good as period refinished, with numerous scattered scratches and dents, mild wear, and a crack on the left between the rear barrel band and front lock screw. The breech block locking piece is broken/partly absent and falls out when manipulated by hand, the spring-loaded breech block sticks, and the extractor is seized, otherwise mechanically functions. This prototype Merlett breech loading conversion gun serves as an important evolutionary piece in firearms history! Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3189
Very Scarce Roberts “Short Frame” Breech Loading Conversion U.S. Springfield Model 1861 Rifle- Musket - NSN, 58 RF cal., 37 3/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. These rifle-muskets were converted by Providence Tool Company in 1869-1870 to the Roberts breech loading system with a tipping block for the Roberts Breechloading Arms Co. of New York City. The design, patent number 65,607 dated June 11th, 1867, was invented by Brigadier General Benjamin S. Roberts. These Roberts conversions were made in a short frame and long frame variant, the short frame being for use with .58 rimfire and long frame for use with .58 centerfire; with this example offered being the rarely encountered short frame variant. Reportedly, 5,000 of the short frame Roberts conversion rifle-muskets were sold to Brazil, 4,000 to Mexico along with some carbines, 875 to Japan, and 790 to France. On page 195 of the “Peabody Firearms” book, author Edward
Hull states, “Since almost all Roberts short frame arms went to foreign countries, today the collector will seldom see them in the U.S.” After a long service
life, many of these rifles reportedly suffered a high loss rate due to breaking parts and thus surviving examples, especially those in high condition like this one, are very rare and desirable. It has the standard Civil War era rifle-musket sights and furniture, an “1864” dated Springfield lock, and casehardened breech marked “ROBERT’S PAT/JUNE. 11. 1867” on the left. Pulling up
on the lever opens the breech and cocking the hammer pulls back on a tab on the lever and closes the breech. Reference the book “Roberts Breechloading Firearms” and pages 194-195 of “Peabody Firearms,” both by Edward Hull, for information on these Roberts conversions. CONDITION: Very good, with some scattered light pitting, freckling, smooth gray and brown patina, and defined lock markings. Stock is fine, with scattered scratches and dents and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3190 Providence Tool Co. Peabody Single Shot Military Rifle - NSN, 43 cal., 33 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle was manufactured by the Providence Tool Company of Rhode Island c. 1870-1875 and is most likely chambered for .43 Spanish given the German “crown/V” marks at the breech and the Model 1870 Spanish model type long breech block groove. The French government ordered 39,000 “Spanish Model” Peabody rifles during the Franco-Prussian War,
and many of the country’s arms were seized when the Prussians were victorious and were later marked with “on-hand” mark in the early 1890s. The rifle features a blade
front sight with block doubling as a socket bayonet lug, a notch and folding ladder rear sight graduated 1-4 along the right side and 5-13 on the ladder, “PEABODY’S PAT./JULY 22, 1862/MAN’F’D BY/
PROVIDENCE TOOL CO./PROV. R.I.” marked on the left side of the frame, small “E” inspection marks on various components, an “S” on the receiver ring, and an oval script “WC” cartouche on the left of the stock wrist as marked on the exported rifles and carbines. Includes a socket bayonet and a black leather sling.
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus original blue and casehardened finish, minor fading from age, bright forend cap, and generally light handling and storage related wear. The wood is fine aside from some
flaking around the lock and has general minor scratches and dings. The bayonet has dark patina. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,250 - 4,000