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LOT 204
Very Scarce and Desirable U.S. Springfield Model 1855 Percussion Rifled
Carbine - NSN, 54 cal., 22 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Reportedly, 1,022
of these Model 1855 rifled carbines were manufactured by Springfield between April and September of 1855,
and eight companies of the U.S. Second Cavalry Regiment were armed with them as of 1858, according to “American
Military Shoulder Arms Volume III” by George D. Moller (pages 268-272). Only a very small fraction of the total production survive
today, as nearly all saw hard use on the frontier prior to the Civil War, mainly in Texas and New Mexico, and continued use throughout
the Civil War. They are the only Model 1855 series arms not equipped with the Maynard primer system and were also typically .54 caliber
rather than .58. Among the distinguishing features of these carbines is the trigger guard with a distinctive
large sling ring on the rear of the bow, and a ring on the bottom of the barrel attached with a swivel
mounted ramrod. The barrel has a blade front sight and two-leaf rear sight, and the walnut stock is fitted
with a brass forend cap and otherwise iron fittings. The lock has the federal eagle motif over “US” at center
and “SPRING/FIELD/1854” in three lines vertically at the tail, “V/P/(eagle head)” proofs at the upper left breech area of the barrel, “1855” dated barrel tang
(common to see differing dates on these as likely factory assembled), faintly legible bordered script inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock flat,
crisp small “JH” inspection initials stamped in the bottom of the stock directly behind the lower tang, with “US” marked on top of the buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine with a fresh appearance and well above many of the limited surviving examples, with mostly bright surfaces on the iron with some
scattered freckling and light surface pitting, golden aged patina on the brass forend cap, and sharp markings on the lock and barrel. Stock is also fine with
attractive raised grain, a crack ahead of the lower tang, a crack between the lock and trigger guard, numerous scattered dents and scratches, a lightly visible
cartouche, crisp inspection initials and defined edges. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 205
Exceptional and Scarce Joslyn Model 1855 “Monkey Tail” Breech Loading
Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine - NSN, 54 cal., 22 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. Less than 1,500 of these Joslyn “Monkey
Tail” carbines are estimated to have been manufactured by Asa H. Waters of
Millbury, Massachusetts between 1855-1856, and are known to have been
issued to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th Ohio Cavalry regiments in limited
numbers, per “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition, 9B-066). These were
the last firearms manufactured by Asa H. Waters. The Waters family had
been involved in U.S. martial arms contracts since at least the 1808
contract muskets. Features a large pinched blade front sight, ladder
rear sight, and a left mounted saddle bar and ring. “A.H. WATERS & Co/
MILBURY MASS” marked on the lock, “PATd BY/B.F.JOSLYN./AUG.23.1855”
marked on top of the breech block in reference to inventor Benjamin F.
Joslyn. “5S” marked on the left of the breech block, and “X6” on the right
of the brass barrel band.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus original blue finish on the
barrel with a plum hue, 75% vivid original case colors with a few patches
of minor surface freckling, attractive untouched golden aged patina
on the brass, and sharp markings on the lock and breech block. Stock
is very fine with attractive original raised grain and rich oil finish, some
scattered scratches and dents, a few mild scuffs, and distinct edges overall.
Mechanically excellent. An exceptional example of a very scarce Joslyn
“Monkey Tail” carbine that would make an excellent addition to any U.S.
martial arms collection!
Estimate: 8,500 - 12,000
Collector’s Fact
Only 1,022 U.S. Springfield
1855 Rifled Carbines were
manufactured, according to
"American Military Shoulder
Arms, Volume III" by Moller.
Collector’s Fact
Fewer than 1,500 Joslyn
Model 1855 "Monkey Tail"
Saddle Ring Carbines were
manufactured, according to
"Flayderman's Guide".
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