Norwich Contract US Model 1861 Rifle Musket by J.D. Mowry

American Civil War

.58 caliber. 40" round barrel secured by three flat, spring retained bands. NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot percussion muzzleloading rifle musket with M1861 3-leaf rear sight, Barleycorn combination front sight and socket bayonet lug, sling swivel and a swelled shank tulip head ramrod. Lock marked with a {Spread-Winged Eagle} forward of the hammer and in two horizontal lines, U.S./NORWICH with the date 1863 at the tail. Top of breech with matching 1863 date and left angled flat with typical V/P/{Eagle Head} proof marks. Counterpane with oval JD MOWRY/NORWICH/CONN cartouche and two clear script inspection cartouches, a JM for James Mills and an AJN for Augustus J Noble, both arsenal sub-inspectors and correct for a Mowry contract rifle musket. Like so many of the contractors to produced Model 1861 Rifle Muskets during the Civil War, the story of James D Mowry is somewhat convoluted and confusing. The firm received a total of three contracts for Model 1861s, totaling 42,000 guns and in the end delivered roughly half that amount, a total of 22,000 with 11,000 each being delivered in 1863 and 1864. A relatively small number of his deliveries have locks simply marked NORWICH, like this one. Those guns then typically have the maker's cartouche, as found on this gun, stamped on the counterpane. {ANTIQUE}

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

This lot is located in Cincinnati.