RARE 1862 DATED “PHILADELPHIA” CONTRACT CIVIL WAR CONTRACT MUSKET.

SN NSN. 58 cal. 40″ bbl. This is a scarcely encountered Civil War musket and this gun appears orig throughout including New Jersey (NJ) contract marks on bbl and stock. This gun is consistent with other 1861 contracts being iron mounted, fitted with three flat bands that are spring retained, two leaf rear sight and swelled tulip tip ramrod. This gun is properly marked “US/PHILADELPHIA” with Eagle forward of hammer on lock and “1863” on tail of lock and on bbl flat and “VP/Eagle Head” proof and “NJ” on left side of breech. Stock is also stamped “NJ” opposite lock. There are no cartouches which would be proper for a state of New Jersey contract. George Moller states in his text American Military Shoulder Arms John Rice of Philadelphia had a large contract for muskets but no guns were delivered under his contract. “All of the component parts of these muskets were to have been fabricated by subcontractors, according to Rice’s testimony before the congressional Holt-Owens Commission, which investigated U.S. Procurement of arms. The manufacture of the locks was subcontracted to C.H. Williams & Company of Philadelphia, and some students believe that these locks were stamped “U.S.” over “PHILADELPHIA,” in addition to the year date and spread eagle. If rifle muskets were fabricated and assembled under subcontracts let by Rice, and if they were “PHILADELPHIA” marked, who purchased them? Edwards, in his book Civil War Guns, speculates that the noncontract sale to the Ordnance Department of 464 rifle muskets by Alfred Jenks, in November 1862, may have been Rice’s rifle muskets. We speculate that no rifle muskets were fabricated by John Rice and that C. H. Williams & Company sold the locks that were to have been used in them to Burt. in turn, Burt incorporated them into the manufacture of rifle muskets sold to the government.” This particular marking is very difficult to find and this gun appears orig, complete and authentic throughout. PROVENANCE: LTC (r) Bert Millikin Collection. CONDITION: Good overall. Metal is brown and pitted. Stock is sound and solid. Markings are all discernible though pitting has obscured them partially as can be seen in photos. Accompanying bayonet is in very good condition with less pitting than gun thought it fits and presents nicely. This gun functions mechanically with discernible rifle and bore though pitted. 4-51253 JS8 (2,000-3,000) – Lot 3243

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3243	$1,265.00	RARE 1862 DATED “PHILADELPHIA” CONTRACT CIVIL WAR CONTRACT MUSKET. SN NSN. 58 cal. 40″ bbl. This is a scarcely encountered Civil War musket and this gun appears orig throughout including New Jersey (NJ) contract marks on bbl and stock. This gun is consistent with other 1861 contracts being iron mounted, fitted with three flat bands that are spring retained, two leaf rear sight and swelled tulip tip ramrod. This gun is properly marked “US/PHILADELPHIA” with Eagle forward of hammer on lock and “1863” on tail of lock and on bbl flat and “VP/Eagle Head” proof and “NJ” on left side of breech. Stock is also stamped “NJ” opposite lock. There are no cartouches which would be proper for a state of New Jersey contract. George Moller states in his text American Military Shoulder Arms John Rice of Philadelphia had a large contract for muskets but no guns were delivered under his contract. “All of the component parts of these muskets were to have been fabricated by subcontractors, according to Rice’s testimony before the congressional Holt-Owens Commission, which investigated U.S. Procurement of arms. The manufacture of the locks was subcontracted to C.H. Williams & Company of Philadelphia, and some students believe that these locks were stamped “U.S.” over “PHILADELPHIA,” in addition to the year date and spread eagle. If rifle muskets were fabricated and assembled under subcontracts let by Rice, and if they were “PHILADELPHIA” marked, who purchased them? Edwards, in his book Civil War Guns, speculates that the noncontract sale to the Ordnance Department of 464 rifle muskets by Alfred Jenks, in November 1862, may have been Rice’s rifle muskets. We speculate that no rifle muskets were fabricated by John Rice and that C. H. Williams & Company sold the locks that were to have been used in them to Burt. in turn, Burt incorporated them into the manufacture of rifle muskets sold to the government.” This particular marking is very difficult to find and this gun appears orig, complete and authentic throughout. PROVENANCE: LTC (r) Bert Millikin Collection. CONDITION: Good overall. Metal is brown and pitted. Stock is sound and solid. Markings are all discernible though pitting has obscured them partially as can be seen in photos. Accompanying bayonet is in very good condition with less pitting than gun thought it fits and presents nicely. This gun functions mechanically with discernible rifle and bore though pitted. 4-51253 JS8 (2,000-3,000) – Lot 3243 Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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RARE 1862 DATED “PHILADELPHIA” CONTRACT CIVIL WAR CONTRACT MUSKET.