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November 7, 2015
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Thru circumstances beyond my control it seems I’m temporary guardian of a 50 cal (?) musket apparently used in the Civil War. Furniture seems consistent with that era. Lock stamped “Windsor, VT 1849”. I have been told it is a Robbins & Lawrence U. S. Musket and the bayonet mount is apparently an 1860-61 Springfield. All I have done is ensure it was unloaded, have not measured the bore or taken it out of the stock. Hammer will not stay cocked, has obviously been fired quite a few times. Patch box recess is apparently milled. Seems to be in solid condition, ramrod is missing and I’ve been told the rear sight is not original. I seem to recall the Confederacy often rebuilt weapons from salvaged parts and this seems to be the product of a Rebel armorer. Story is that it was found leaning against a fence post in SE Texas but according to my math it was probably stuck away for at least 25-30 years after the war ended before it was leaned up against that fence post. At any rate it’s been in the same family since around 1895, they’d like to know a bit more about it. At this point nobody in the family knows much about firearms so it somehow wound up in my lap. I have someone trying to clear up the time line issues so all I have to do is figure out how all those pieces came together and travelled to SE Texas.
I’m in the middle of another little research project but if you have any tips please PM me.
Thanks in advance.
Mike
November 1, 2013
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Model 1841 US Rifle, .54, built under contract by R&L; AKA “Mississippi Rifle.” Original contract did not include bayonet mount, but several different varieties of mounts were later retro-fitted. Could have been used by CSA, esp some irregular force, because .58 was the official CSA caliber & standard cartridges couldn’t be used. The books about CSA arms might help to confirm it’s possible CW use, but it’s generally a hard thing to prove without CSA markings, & they are often faked.
R&L also built the earliest Winchester ancestor, the Hunt/Jennings rifle, which led to the Volcanic.
November 7, 2015
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Thanks, Clarence. Upon further examination it appears to be a very much original (but well worn) R&L contract rifle in .54 sans adjustable rear sight or bayonet mount indicating a pre-1855 build date. So much for my Rebel armorer theory. Rifling within first few inches from the muzzle is missing, consistent with the erosion at the breech around the percussion nipple. No markings observed inside the wood stock or bottom side of the barrel. That barrel hasn’t been out of the stock in a very long time and the screws are in excellent shape.
Mike
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