Page 236 - 4095-BOOK1

234
LOT 236
Outstanding Providence Tool Company U.S. Model 1861 Contract Percussion
Rifle-Musket with Sling - NSN, 58 percussion cal., 40 inch round bbl., bright
finish, walnut stock. This is an excellent U.S. Model 1861 Percussion Rifle-Musket
manufactured by the Providence Tool Co., of Providence, Rhode Island, in 1864. The
Providence Tool Co., manufactured 70,000 Model 1861 Rifle-Muskets for the Ordnance
Departments between 1862 and 1865. It was one of twenty-four contractors who
supplied nearly 750,000 Model 1861 Rifle-Muskets to the U.S. Army during the Civil
War. This regulation pattern Model 1861 Rifle-Musket has a ‘National Armory Bright’
finish with blued rear sight. The stock is straight grain, oil-finished, American walnut
with iron forearm tip and curved buttplate. The bevel-edged lock has the distinctive
Model 1861 style hammer. The nipple bolster features a clean-out screw. The barrel has
a block front sight that serves as a lug for a socket bayonet and a two-leaf rear sight
with 100, 300 and 500 yard notches. The barrel is secured by three flat spring fastened
bands. Sling swivels are located on the middle barrel band and trigger guard. The “tulip
head” ramrod has a swelled shank. The musket is dated “1864” on the lockplate behind
the hammer and on the top of the barrel. The lockplate is roll-stamped with the eagle
and shield motif between “U” and “S” above “PROVIDENCE TOOL CO./PROVIDENCE. R.I.”
in two lines. The upper left barrel flat is stamped with “V, P” and “Eagle Head” proof
and inspection marks. A small “M” Ordnance sub-inspection mark is stamped on the
lower left side of the barrel. “US.” is stamped on the top of the buttplate in front of the
buttplate screw. “U” is stamped on the right side of the barrel bands facing the muzzle.
Small single letter Ordnance sub-inspection marks are stamped on most components.
The sub-inspection mark “DCG” is stamped in small block letters behind the trigger
guard finial and “S.C.” is stamped at the rear of the left stock flat. The left stock flat is
stamped with the Ordnance final inspection and sub-inspection marks which consist
of the script initials “CRM” and “OWA” with rectangular borders. The musket is complete
with a regulation pattern russet leather sling stamped with oval “A. CROSMAN & CO./
NEWARK” cartouche. The U.S. Model 1861 Rifle-Musket was the standard shoulder arm
of the Federal Army from 1862 until the end of Civil War. Although manufactured in
quantity, U.S. Model 1861Rifle-Muskets are extremely scarce in as-issued condition.
CONDITION: Excellent plus. This musket is all original and remains in nearly new,
as-issued, condition. The barrel, lockplate, hammer, trigger guard and other iron
components retain nearly all of the original National Armory Bright finish. The rear
sight and percussion nipple retain all of the original military blue finish. The lockplate
and barrel markings are extremely crisp and the “U.S.”, “U” and other markings are
equally sharp. The stock is excellent plus and shows minimal handling with sharp
edges, raised “feathered” grain and nearly perfect Ordnance final and sub-inspection
stamps. Wear is limited to a few scattered and very minor storage marks. Mechanically
excellent. The very scarce russet leather sling is in the same as-issued excellent
condition as the musket with smooth supple leather surfaces and clear maker’s
cartouche. This U.S. Model 1861 Contract Rifle-Musket is the highest conditioned,
finest example of this historically significant firearm ever offered for sale by the Rock
Island Auction Company. It would be a stand-out piece in any collection of U.S.
martial arms.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500