Springfield Model 1861 Rifle Musket Dated 1861

American Civil War

.62 caliber. 40" round barrel secured by three flat, spring-retained barrel bands. NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot percussion muzzleloading rifle musket with M1861 three leaf rear sight, Barleycorn combination front sight and socket bayonet lug, sling swivels and a swelled-shank tulip head ramrod. Lock marked with a {Spread-Winged Eagle}/U.S. forward of the hammer and in two horizontal lines U.S./SPRINGFIELD and dated 1861 at the tail. Breech of barrel dated 1861 as well. Upper left breech with typical V/P/{Eagle Head}. Counterpane of stock with two inspection cartouches, the a not fully decipherable finish cartouche that appears to be the JCB of J.C. Bragg and then the script ESA of Springfield's Master Armorer Erskine S Allin. The most desirable and representative US used military long arm from the American Civil War is a Springfield produced US Model 1861 Rifle Musket. 1861 and 1862 dated examples that are correct and in good condition are quite scarce as these guns saw the brunt of the fighting for the majority of the war. Finding one of these guns in very good to fine condition is even more difficult. This 1861 dated example is correct in every way, with the exception of having been bored smooth at some point in time, but otherwise remains in very nice condition, making it a fine addition to any serious collection of Civil War small arms. {ANTIQUE}

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Very Good to Near Fine. Bright bore has been bored smooth and is now about to.62 caliber rather than .58. Metal very lightly cleaned with lightly scattered freckled surface oxidation. Markings remain clear in metal, slightly weaker in wood. Mechanically functional lock. Stock lightly cleaned and showing some wear and minor softening of the edges, but with decent cartouches. Wood with scattered bumps, dings and mars. A very nice example of a desirable 1861 dated US Model 1861 Springfield Rifle Musket, and as you cannot display the bore, the smoothing of it does not affect the display of the piece.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

October 17, 20, 21, or by appointment. Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Mr. Tim Carey

Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria

[email protected]513.666.4984

Mr. Carey joined Cowan’s, a Freeman's company, in 2021 and is a 40-year veteran of the sporting arms and outdoor recreation industry. Carey joined Cowan’s from Griffin & Howe at Hudson Farms in Andover, N.J., where he was responsible for the acquisition, appraisal, and consignment of top-tier firearms consignments from important makers such as James Purdey & Sons of London, Beretta, Caesar Guerini, B. Rizzini, Bertuzzi, Renato Telo, and Anderson Wheeler.

Mr. Tim Prince

Senior Consulting Specialist, Arms, Armor & Militaria

[email protected]312 280 1212

Tim Prince has more than 30-years of experience in the field of antique and collectible arms and is a nationally recognized expert in the area of Civil War small arms. A long-time researcher and author, Tim has been a contributing author to two major books about Civil War firearms, including The English Connection: Arms, Material and Support Furnished to the Confederate States of America by Great Britain (2014) and Confederate Shotguns and Southern Agent Marked Shotguns (2017). He was also a major contributor to the recently updated Blue Book of Antique American Firearms & Values – 2nd Edition (2019) as well as the 2010 updates to the Civil War Collector's Price Guide - 12th edition. Over the last decade Tim has authored more than 50 articles on 19th century collectible and military arms, which have been published in such varied publications as Civil War News, North-South Trader, and Military Antique Collector. Since 2016 has appeared as a featured appraiser in the field of Arms & Militaria on the popular PBS television series Antiques Roadshow. He is a member of the American Society of Arms Collectors and currently serves on the board of directors of that organization. He is also a member of and formerly served on the board of directors of the Society of American Bayonet Collectors. Tim is a life member of the Ohio Valley Military Society, the Tennessee Military Collectors Association, the Alabama Military Collectors Association, is a member of the Company of Military Historians and is a member of numerous other colleting groups and societies. He is the owner of College Hill Arsenal, a web based antique and collectible arms retail web site, specializing in the American Civil War and related military items. Tim has engaged in the business of buying, selling, researching, and appraising antique and collectible arms and associated military items for some three decades. Since 2016 he has also served as a senior Consulting Specialist in the field of Arms, Armor & Militaria for Cowan’s Auctions, a Freeman's Company.

We are open for pick-up Monday-Friday: 10am-4pm.

For questions about shipping or packing, please contact [email protected] or see our Shipping/Packing page.

Springfield Model 1861 Rifle Musket Dated 1861

American Civil War

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Arms, Armor and Militaria

Springfield Model 1861 Rifle Musket Dated 1861

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup