US Model 1847 Springfield Cavalry Musketoon Altered to Cadet Musketoon

American Civil war

.69 caliber. 25.875" barrel secured by two flat, spring-retained bands. NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, walnut military stock. Single shot percussion muzzleloading cavalry musektoon altered to cadet musketoon with brass blade front sight, no rear sight, the three click tumbler from the earlier cavalry musketoon modifications period, a socket bayonet stud below the muzzle, sling swivels and a straight shank button head ramrod. Lock marked with a {Spread-Winged Eagle}/US forward of the hammer and in three vertical lines at the tail SPRING/FIELD/1851. Breech plug tang with matching 1851 date. Left of breech with typical V/P/{Eagle Head} proofs. Counterpane with the outline of a weak, illegible cartouche. Originally one of the 5,802 US Model 1847 Cavalry Musketoons that were produced between 1847 and 1854, this gun was later altered to what is often referenced as the "artillery modification" with the removal of the sling bar and ring, addition of sling swivels and removal of the captive, swivel ramrod, with the lug upon which it pivoted being ground down to serve as a lug for a US M1835 socket bayonet. During 1858 and 1859 630 M1847 Cavalry Musketoons were altered to the "artillery" configuration to issue to states for use as Cadet muskets, as all of the stores of M1841 and M1851 Cadet Muskets had been issued. The initial guns provided to the states were the M1847 Artillery Musketoons which required no modifications for that purpose. Later M1847 Sappers & Miners Musketoons were altered for use as Cadet musketoons and finally the cavalry musketoons were altered. A rare example of a Cadet Musketoon, made from a M1847 Cavalry Musketoon. {ANTIQUE}

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Good. Bore moderately oxidized and showing some scattered light pitting. Metal lightly cleaned in the past and dulling to a medium pewter patina with scattered oxidation and discoloration. Brass with a medium golden color. Markings in metal good, weak in wood. Lock mechanically functional. Ramrod appears to be the original swivel ramrod the has been altered to conventional form with the end cut and threaded, rather than having the original female threads on the end. Wood about good, worn and sanded with rounded edges and showing some added finish. Wood shows scattered bumps, dings and mars, a repaired crack emanating from the front lock screw and a crack at the tail of the lock mortise.

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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.

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US Model 1847 Springfield Cavalry Musketoon Altered to Cadet Musketoon

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