US Model 1861 Contract Rifle Musket by William Mason

American Civil War

.60 caliber. 40" round barrel secured by three flat, spring-retained barrel bands. NSN. Bright finish now heavily oxidized, iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot percussion muzzleloading rifle musket with M1861 pattern three leaf rear sight, Barleycorn combination front sight and socket bayonet lug, sling swivels and a swelled-shank tulip head ramrod with the recess filled with lead. Lock marked with a {Spread-Winged Eagle} forward of the hammer and in three horizontal lines U.S./WM MASON/TAUNTON and dated 1863 at the tail. Breech of barrel with no visible date due to pitting. Upper left breech with typical V/P/{Eagle Head}. No visible inspection cartouches. Robert P Beals and the AJN of Augusta J Noble. William Mason received a contract for 50,000 US Model 1861 Rifle Muskets at the rate of $20 each on January 7, 1862. He delivered 30,000 guns between May 1863 and August 1864, making him one of the more successful of the rifle musket contractors during the war. {ANTIQUE}

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Fair to Good. Bore reamed to smooth and about .60-.61 caliber, showing moderate oxidation and some pitting. Metal heavily oxidized with a dark brown patina, and showing scattered pitting that is much heavier at the breech. Breech plug tang marred by vise marks. Markings somewhat legible. Mechanically functional lock. Wood with moderate wear, sanded and showing scattered bumps, dings and mars.

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

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.

Mr. Tim Carey

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

[email protected]312 280 1212

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US Model 1861 Contract Rifle Musket by William Mason

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