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LOT 3086
Very Scarce Colt Alteration Robbins & Lawrence U.S. Model 1841 Percussion “Mississippi Rifle” with Saber Bayonet - NSN, 58 cal., 33 inch round bbl., brown/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. The “Mississippi Rifle” was made famous by Jefferson Davis’ unit during the Mexican-American War and was also widely used by both sides during the Civil War. Many were updated for use with bayonets and Minie balls. Colt purchased the rifles for $10 each, rebored and rifled them for .58 caliber ammunition using the original style of rifling, fitted split band bayonet adapters, and then sold them back
to the government for $18.50 each paired with bayonets manufactured for Colt by Collins & Co. They had completed 10,200 by the summer of 1862 and thus had brought in over $86,000 while also giving Union soldiers handsome rifles adapted for bayonets and better ammunition. This example properly has seven-groove rifling, a brass tipped ramrod as used on the original Model 1841 rifles, the standard brass blade front sight, correct Colt Model 1855 three-leaf type rear sight graduated up to 500 yards, “7232” marked on the bayonet lug, “US/JCB/P” marked at the breech, “ROBBINS/&/LAWRENCE/U.S.” marked at the center of the lock, “WINDSOR VT./1851” marked at the tail of the lock, circled script “JH” (Joseph Hannis) and “WAT” (William A. Thornton) inspection cartouches marked on the left stock flat, boxed script “SJB” inspection cartouche marked on the left of the buttstock, “US” marked buttplate tang, and a spare nipple inside the patch box. Includes an “1862” dated brass handled saber bayonet marked “7781” on the flat of the handle. CONDITION: Good, traces of period refurbished blue finish visible at the breech with mostly brown patina and scattered light to moderate pitting on the balance of the barrel, some wear to the markings, smooth gray and brown patina on the lock with clear markings, and moderate pitting on the hammer. Brass retains an attractive golden aged patina. Stock is very good with scattered scratches and dents, and legible cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very good with scattered light pitting on the blade, golden aged patina and numerous scattered small dings on the handle. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,000
LOT 3087
Civil War U.S. Remington “Model 1863 Zouave” Percussion Rifle - NSN, 58 cal., 33 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. 12,501 of these rifles were manufactured by Remington between 1862-1865 during the Civil War for the Union. Government records listed them as “Harpers Ferry Pattern” rifles, and they have similarities to both the Model 1841 and Model 1855 rifles that were manufactured at Harpers Ferry prior to the Civil War but are of a unique pattern. Whether or not any of these rifles saw use in the war remains unclear and debated. “1863” dated lock and barrel. “R.K.A.” (Remick K. Arnold) inspection initials marked on the left barrel flat at the breech. Left stock flat marked with boxed script inspection cartouches “HDJ” (Henry D. Jennings) and “BH” (Benjamin Hannis). Brass patch box contains an extra nipple. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% original blue finish on the barrel, 75% original case colors on the lock, scattered mild freckling, and sharp markings in the metal. Brass retains an attractive bright patina. Stock is also very fine with defined edges, scattered light scratches and dents, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 3088
New York State Remington U.S. Model 1841 Percussion “Mississippi Rifle” with Grosz Bayonet Alteration - NSN, 54 cal., 33 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. In 1861, the state of New York contracted with Frederick H. Grosz for the alteration of 1,600 Remington Model 1841 rifles for use with the M1840 angular socket bayonet, although the 1862 annual report of the New York adjutant general stated that a total of 2,180 Remington .54 caliber rifles with angular socket bayonets were in the hands of the state’s militia regiments serving in the Union Army. Grosz alteration rifles feature a turned down barrel muzzle with a small square bayonet stud added to the underside near the muzzle and a repositioned blade front sight behind the turn-down area. Some of these rifles are known to have been issued to Federal units and New York 7th, 10th, 12th, and
192nd Regiments. Grosz alteration Remington Model 1841 rifles are described on pages 167-168 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III”. The lock plate of this rifle has the three line Remington marking and “1849” date stamped vertically behind the hammer. The barrel tang is also dated “1849” and the barrel is stamped “U.S./JCB/P” at the breech and “STEEL” on the left flat. Fitted with brass furniture including a patch box containing a tool and extra nipple. “U.S.” and “40/E/40” marked buttplate tang. Includes an E. A. Crossman & Co. Newark leather sling. CONDITION: Very good with brown patina and some scattered light surface corrosion, and sharp markings in the metal. Stock is also good as lightly sanded and re-oiled with some scattered scratches and dents, and a patch circular dings concentrated on the left of the buttstock. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000 LOT 3089 Civil War U.S. E. Robinson Contract Model 1861 Rifle- Musket Dated 1863 with Sling, Bayonet and 72nd Indiana History - NSN, 58 cal., 40 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. One of approximately 30,000 of these rifle-muskets manufactured by the Union Arms Company of New York City during the Civil War, and marked on the lock with the abbreviated name of Edward Robinson, one of the principals of the Union Arms Company. These muskets are believed to have been sold to the state of New York. It has the standard Model 1861 features, the eagle and shield motif over “U.S.” marked at the center of the lock, “E. ROBINSON/NEW YORK” marked towards the front of the lock, “1863” dated on the tail of the lock on top of the barrel at the breech, “V/P/eagle head” proofs on the upper left barrel flat at the breech, “W.J.L.D” inspection initials marked on the left barrel flat at the breech, and “US” marked buttplate tang. Includes “US” marked socket bayonet, period leather sling, photo, and a history pamphlet of the 72nd Indiana Volunteer Infantry. CONDITION: Very good with scattered brown patina on the barrel, moderate flash pitting, a mix of scattered brown and gray patina on the lock with otherwise crisp markings in the metal overall. Stock is good as sanded and re-oiled with scattered dents and scratches, a few chips in the edges of the ramrod channel and around the buttstock, a chipped/absent section to the right of the barrel tang, and a large crack running behind the lock around the wrist and partway into the left stock flat. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is also very good with scattered brown and gray patina, sling is fair with restitched areas, age related wear, cracking, and a torn area where it mounts to the rear sling swivel.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250 57