Bridesburg Marked Alfred Jenks & Co Contract US Model 1861 Rifle Musket

American Civil War

.58 caliber. 40" barrel. NSN. Bright finish, steel furniture, walnut stock with three flat, spring retained barrel bands. Single shot percussion muzzleloading military rifle musket with M1861 pattern three leaf rear sight, Barleycorn combination front sight and socket bayonet lug, sling swivels and a full-length swelled shank tulip head ramrod. Lock marked with a {Spread-Winged Eagle} and U.S./BRIDESBURG forward of the hammer and dated 1863 at the tail. Breech with weak 1863 date and standard V/P/{Eagle Head} inspection marks. Counterpane with a pair of weak script cartouches, the forward one not being fully legible and the rear being the JTC of John T Cleveland. Another inspection mark is present in the belly of the stock, forward of the triggerguard. Bridesburg marked rifle muskets were primarily produced by Alfred Jenks & Co of Bridesburg and Philadelphia, PA, although Jenks also delivered component parts to other contractors and Bridesburg marked locks are found on guns made by James T Hodge as well. Jenks received multiple rifle musket contracts, primarily for the M1861 pattern guns like this one. Jenks was the most successful of M1861 contractors, delivering more than 92,000 rifle muskets between 1862 and 1865. Some 20,000 guns more than his next closest competitor, the Providence Tool Company, who delivered 70,000 guns. {ANTIQUE}

This lot is located in Cincinnati.