| GOOD–$900 | FINE–$2,750 |
U.S. MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, “PROVIDENCE” CONTRACT, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Probably manufactured by Providence Tool Co., Providence, Rhode Island, 1862. Total production: unknown.
Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
“U.S. / PROVIDENCE” below bolster cutout on lock plate; spread eagle at center of lock plate; “1862” toward rear of lock plate.
It is not certain who manufactured Model 1861 rifle-muskets stamped “PROVIDENCE,” but it is assumed that it was the Providence Tool Company, with a smaller possibility that the maker was C. D. Schubarth of Providence, Rhode Island.
| GOOD–$900 | FINE–$2,750 |
U.S. MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, PROVIDENCE TOOL CO. CONTRACT, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc.
Manufactured by Providence Tool Co., Providence, Rhode Island, ca. 1862–65. Total production: 70,000.
Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
“U. [spread eagle] S. / PROVIDENCE TOOL CO / PROVIDENCE R I” at center of lock plate; “1863” or “1864” (and possibly “1865”) toward rear of lock plate.
The Providence Tool Company delivered to the U.S. government 70,000 stands of Model 1861 rifle-muskets from December 1862 to May 1865. They were considered high-quality arms. Note that it is possible, but not certain, that Model 1861 rifle-muskets marked “U.S. / Providence” and “1862” on the lock plates were early-production examples of the Providence Tool Co. Contract.
| GOOD–$900 | FINE–$2,750 |
U.S. MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, REMINGTON CONTRACT, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Manufactured by E. Remington & Sons, Ilion, New York, ca. 1864–65. Total production: 40,000.
Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
“REMINGTON’S / ILION, N.Y.” below bolster cutout on lock plate; inspector’s initial near front of lock plate; spread eagle over “U.S.” at center of lock plate; “1864” or “1865” at rear of lock plate.
Under a contract of December 14, 1863, E. Remington & Sons supplied the U.S. government with 40,000 Model 1861 musket-rifles, with deliveries from May 31, 1864 to May 24, 1866. Specimens dated 1864 and 1865 have been reported.
| GOOD–$900 | FINE–$2,750 |
U.S. MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, E. ROBINSON CONTRACT, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Manufactured by Edward Robinson, New York City, ca. 1863–64. Total production: 30,000.
Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Markings were in two styles: 1) first 12,000 examples: “E. ROBINSON” in straight line over “NEW YORK” under bolster cutout of lock plate; spread eagle over “U.S.” at center of lock plate; “1863” at rear of lock plate; and 2) last 18,000 examples: “E. ROBINSON” in arc over “NEW YORK” below bolster cutout; spread eagle over “U.S.” at center of lock plate; “1864” to rear of lock plate.
Edward Robinson delivered 30,000 Model 1861 rifle-muskets under four contracts dated June 10 and December 29, 1863, and February 23 and October 4, 1864. The U.S. government paid substantially below the contract price for many of the arms, indicating that they were substandard.
| GOOD–$900 | FINE–$2,750 |
U.S. MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, “NEW YORK” CONTRACT, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Manufactured by Sarson & Roberts, New York City, ca. 1862–63. Total production: 5,140.
Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
“US / NEW YORK / [year]” stamped below bolster cutout on lock plate; spread eagle at center of lock plate.
On December 26, 1861, John B. Sarson and William S. Roberts’ Sarson & Roberts armory in New York City contracted to supply the U.S. government with 25,000 Model 1861 rifle-muskets. However, the firm delivered a total of only 5,140 units. Sarson & Roberts manufactured the barrels, stocks, and sights, but secured all other parts from Alfred Jenks & Son.
| GOOD–$900 | FINE–$2,750 |
U.S. MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, SAVAGE REVOLVING FIRE ARMS CO. CONTACT, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Rock Island Auction Company
Manufactured by Savage Fire Arms Co., Middletown, Connecticut, ca. 1862–64. Total production: 25,520.
Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
“SAVAGE R.F.A. CO / MIDDLETOWN. CON.” below bolster cutout on lock plate; spread eagle over “U.S.” at center of lock plate; “1862”, “1863”, or “1864” ar rear of lock plate.
In September 1863 the Savage Revolving Fire Arms Co. was assigned a contract originally held by Parker, Snow, Brooks & Co. to supply 25,000 Model 1861 rifle-muskets to the U.S. government. Savage delivered a total of 13,520 stands under this contract, and subsequently fulfilled another contract dated February 25, 1864, for another 12,000 Model 1861 rifle-muskets. The U.S. government paid well below the stipulated prices for many of these arms, which were apparently substandard.
| GOOD–$900 | FINE–$2,750 |
Rock Island Auction Company
U.S. MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, SCHUBARTH CONTACT, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Manufactured by C. D. Schubarth & Co., Providence, Rhode Island, ca. 1861–63. Total production: 9,500.
Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
“U.S.