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LOT 235
Exceptional U.S. Springfield Model 1855 Percussion Rifle-Musket Dated 1859 - NSN,
58 cal., 40 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. 47,115 Model 1855 rifle-muskets were
manufactured at Springfield Armory between 1857-1861, and another 12,158 were
manufactured at Harpers Ferry. The Model 1855 was the first U.S. martial arm
designed for use with Minie bullets in .58 caliber, giving it a considerable advantage
in accuracy and effective range over earlier military rifles. These rifles were widely
used in the Civil War and first saw action in the Coeur d’Alene War in the Pacific
Northwest in 1858. It has standard markings and features including an “1859” date marking at the tail of the lock and on top
of the breech of the barrel, with the federal eagle motif on the primer door, “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” marked at the front of the lock,
front sight doubling as a bayonet lug, rear sight with flip-up leafs, brass forend tip with iron remaining fittings, a bordered script
“JS” inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock flat, and “US” marked buttplate tang.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, with mostly bright surfaces on the iron, some scattered areas of minor freckling, and absolutely
sharp markings and edges. Stock is very fine with attractive original raised grain, some scattered dents and storage marks, distinct edges and an exceptionally crisp cartouche
stamp. Mechanically excellent. This outstanding U.S. Springfield Model 1855 rifle-musket would make an excellent addition to any U.S. martial arms collection!
Provenance: The Andrew Singer Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,000
LOT 236
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 weapon used by the Union infantry during the Civil War. This example
is dated “1862” on the lock and barrel and has standard “eagle/shield” motif and “U.S./
SPRINGFIELD” markings on the lock ahead of the hammer, and two cartouches are
on the left stock flat, including that of Master Armorer Erskine S. Allin.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining most of the armory bright surfaces underneath
scattered old dried grease and scattered patches of mild surface pitting,
mostly concentrated towards the end of the barrel, end cap, and ramrod. Stock is excellent with
exceptionally defined edges, some light scratches, light handling marks, and crisp cartouches. Bent ramrod.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 237
Exceptional Civil War U.S. Colt Special Model 1861 Contract Percussion Rifle-Musket - NSN,
58 cal., 40 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. An estimated 100,000 Special Model 1861 rifle-
muskets were manufactured by Colt between 1861-1865 during the Civil War, according to “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition,
5B-255). These Colt Special Model 1861 rifle-muskets were loosely based on the British Pattern 1853 “Enfield” rifle-muskets, and
some of the design elements were used on the Springfield Model 1863 rifle. When you consider Colt
also manufactured over 200,000 revolvers during the war and suffered a factory fire, and the
fact that many contractors failed to supply a few thousand firearms throughout the war, this
number is incredible. This outstanding example appears to have seen little if any use at all.
It has a blade front sight that doubles as a socket bayonet lug, blue finished three-leaf rear sight,
“1864” dated tail of the lock with “U.S.” above the Colt manufacturer and Hartford address markings at the center of the lock, a federal
eagle motif on the percussion bolster, “1864” date on top of the breech of the barrel with “V/P/(eagle head)” proofs at the upper left and
“M.N.M” inspection initials at the left of the breech, crisp bordered script “JHL” and “JT” inspection cartouches stamped on the left stock flat,
“U” marked barrel bands, trumpet head iron ramrod, single letter inspection initials on various components, and “E.M.W” inspection initials
stamped on top of the buttstock ahead of the “U.S” marked buttplate.
CONDITION: Excellent. The iron surfaces retain their highly attractive original armory bright appearance, with a few small patches of very minor surface freckling, and absolutely sharp markings and
edges. The rear sight retains 97% original blue finish, and the trigger retains 90% plus original blue finish. Stock is also excellent with attractive grain, distinct edges, a few minor dents and handling marks,
and exceptionally crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This exceptional Colt Model 1861 Special rifle-musket would be extremely difficult to improve upon!
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000