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FINE & SCARCE CIVIL WAR 1858 DATED HARPERS FERRY

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
FINE & SCARCE CIVIL WAR 1858 DATED HARPERS FERRY

MODEL 1855 PERCUSSION RIFLE MUSKET & BAYONET & SLING. Cal. .58. S# NSN. Bbl. 40". Standard configuration of model 1855 US percussion rifle musket, 40" barrel with
VP / eaglehead proofs on breech, no discernible barrel date, long range adjustable ladder rear sight, brass nose cap, 3 flat spring retained barrel bands. Lock has Maynard tape devise with hinged door stamped with spread wing eagle, "U.S. / HARPERS FERRY" & "1858" at tail. Walnut stock has 2 clear cartouches "BM & "JAS". Buttplate surcharged "US". Bayonet has 18" blade with US surcharge. This was the most advanced and modern longarm in Southern arsenals at beginning of Civil War, few survive unmolested like this example. The original ramrod has .565" diameter head which was changed by 1859 to .540-.550 as larger original diameter was found difficult if not impossible to use in fouled bores from previous firing (Moller p 253). UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: wood tompion, bayonet, & sling. PROVENANCE: Michael E. Bray estate collection. CONDITION: very good to fine overall, crisp markings, metal cleaned mostly bright/gray, stained, pitting at breech, stock sound with sharp edges, crisp cartouches. Mechanics fine, crisp rifled bore. Bayonet & original leather military sling match musket well. These guns saw hard service in Civil War, this is superior survivor 100% original & complete. ANTIQUE. (01-23288/JS). $2,500-3,500.