SN&WTC US Model 1861 Contract Rifle Musket with Western Costume Company Ownership Mark

American Civil War

.58 caliber. 40" round barrel secured by three clamping, 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 straight shank tulip head ramrod. Lock marked with a {Spread-Winged Eagle}/U.S. forward of the hammer and in three horizontal lines S.N.&W.T.C/FOR/MASSACHUSETTS and dated 1863 at the tail. Breech of barrel dated 1863 as well. Upper left breech with typical V/P/{Eagle Head}. Barrel without the expected LFR inspection found on most SN&WTC contract rifle muskets. Obverse of barrel stamped W.C.CO. below the rear sight, the ownership mark of long time Hollywood costume and prop furnisher Western Costume Company. Counterpane of stock with two crisp script inspection cartouches, the RPB of Robert P Beals and the second the WHR of William H Russell. An additional small block letter WHR is stamped at the tail of the counterpane behind Russell's cartouche. Neither inspectors are noted in Daum & Pate's book to have inspected Norris & Clements produced Rifle Muskets, but their information is not 100% complete either. However, considering that the barrel lacks the usual LFR mark typically found on these guns and that the gun was owned by Western Costume Company, it is reasonable to assume it is a composite assembly, although it remains in very nice condition and has secondary interest and value as a movie prop that may well have been involved in such classics a "Gone with the Wind". {ANTIQUE}

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

This lot is located in Cincinnati.