Rare Suhl Contract US Model 1861 Rifle Musket by Christian Funk

American Civil War

.58 caliber. 40" round barrel secured by three flat, spring-retained barrel bands. SN: 1. Bright finish, iron furniture, European hardwood stock. Single shot percussion muzzleloading rifle musket. Lock marked with a {Spread-Winged Eagle} forward of the hammer and with US at the front of the lock. Tail of the lock dated 1861 with breech dated 1861 as well. Additional markings include US on buttplate and small U marks for "up" on the barrel bands. Assembly numbered 1 on most major components, with the number 2 found under the barrel, in the rear sight mortise and on the breech plug. Bottom of barrel additionally marked SUHL. The gun retains the correct original 1858 pattern "curved wing" rear sight, has a replaced Barleycorn combination front sight and socket bayonet lug, both sling swivels and a period swelled-shank tulip head iron ramrod that is full length. The initials AWH are scratched on the reverse butt.

Of all the imported arms utilized by the US government during the American Civil War, the SUHL Contract Model 1861 Rifle Musket is probably one of the most desirable and most difficult to obtain for a collection. In fact, the authors of Firearms from Europe (2nd Edition) describe the gun as "one of the rarest of all Civil War weapons" and further note that "only a handful are known to exist." The details regarding these handmade Germanic copies of the US Model 1861 Rifle Musket are not particularly clear, but it appears that the guns were produced by Christian Funk of Suhl, which was located in the German state of Thuringia. The guns were most likely imported by William Hahn of New York. According to US Ordnance Document records, Hahn delivered "German Muskets, Springfield Pattern", at prices that ranged from $14.50 to $16.50 each. The deliveries were made in two lots, with 179 being delivered March 7, 1862 and the balance of 302 being delivered on July 15, 1862. Schuyler, Hartley & Graham of New York delivered an additional 400 "Suhl Rifles" and "Suhl Rifle-Muskets" to the US Government between February 17 and March 10 of 1862. However, the pattern of these arms is not noted in the delivery documents. The majority of the rifle-muskets of Germanic origin that were delivered by Schuyler, Hartley & Graham were of the Enfield pattern, making it likely that these 400 guns of "unspecified pattern" were also of the Enfield pattern and not Model 1861 types. This is a solid example of one of the rarest of Civil War import long arms. Although this gun is not Funk marked under the barrel or inside the lock as some examples are, it is a text book example of the Suhl-made guns. Very good. Bore about good with strong rifling and moderate pitting and oxidation throughout. Metal with moderate amount of scattered oxidation and some surface roughness with some pitting, most notably around the breech and bolster area. Some small areas of more moderate surface oxidation are present as well. Most markings remain legible, with the breech mark light. Lock mechanically functional. Stock lightly sanded with some minor rounding to the sharp edges, showing scattered bumps, dings and mars. Overall a scarce example of a correct and original "Suhl" Springfield Rifle Musket. {ANTIQUE}

This lot is located in Cincinnati.