US Model 1855 Harpers Ferry Iron Mounted Rifle

American Civil War

.58 caliber. 33" round barrel secured by two flat spring retained bands. NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture with iron nose cap, walnut stock. Single shot, muzzleloading percussion rifle with Maynard automated tape primer lock. Lock marked in two horizontal lines forward of the hammer US/HARPERS FERRY and dated 1860 at tail of lock. Primer magazine door with {Spread-Winged Eagle}. A partial roll of original tape primers is in the lock. Breech also dated 1860, breech with standard V/P/{Eagle Head} inspection marks. and with the rack number B/26. Counterpane with the weak outlines of two illegible cartouches. US on buttplate tang, "U" marks on both barrel bands. 1858 Pattern three-leaf, short base rear sight with the 500-yard sight leaf appropriately marked "R", other leaf not marked. Low-base iron rifle front sight, saber bayonet lug on obverse of barrel near muzzle. Second type stock with patchbox cut in an oval with an original spare nipple in the patchbox. 1855 pattern hammer with primer tape cutter face and notch in nose. Rifle retains the original lower sling swivel, upper swivel replaced and an original tulip head, swelled shank ramrod with good threads at the end. A well used by reasonable example of a Harpers Ferry M1855 Rifle made only moths before the outbreak of the American Civil War. {ANTIQUE}

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

This lot is located in Cincinnati.