Standard Catalog of Civil War Firearms. John F. Graf

Company was one of the largest and most modern private arms manufacturing companies in the world. On July 4, 1861, the Chief of Ordnance Lt. Col. James W. Ripley awarded the Colt company the first contract of the war for rifled-muskets. Colt was to deliver 25,000 weapons at the price of 20 each. First contract rifle-muskets featured barrel bands with integral tension screws. Collectors refer to these as “Type I.”

      The Colt Company received a second contract dated June 5, 1863, for an additional 50,000 rifled muskets at the same unit price. Weapons of the second and third contracts have plain barrel bands secured by inlet spring catches. These weapons are referred to as “Type II.”

      The company received a third contract on March 19, 1864, for 37,500 weapons. At the end of 1864, after taking delivery of 21,500 rifle-muskets, the Ordnance Department suspended and canceled the contract in anticipation of the war ending.

      In July 1863, Colt agreed to sell to the New York weapons and equipment supplier, Schuyler, Hartley & Graham “Second Class U.S. Rifle Muskets” produced up to that time. The second class weapons were those that had failed to pass government inspection. On July 11, 1863, Schuyler, Hartley & Graham sold 2,500 of these second class rifle-muskets to the state of Connecticut. A plain nipple bolster (no eagle stamp) characterizes the second class weapons.

      After the cancellation of the third contract, Colt did not immediately suspend manufacturing of the Special Model 1861 Rifle-Musket. From May to September 1865, workers completed at least 8,000 additional rifle-muskets. In 1866, the Colt Company sold 12,100 Model 1861 Special Rifle Muskets to the government of Egypt.

GOOD–$1,500

FINE–$4,000

       LAMSON, GOODNOW & YALE SPECIAL MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, .58 CALIBER, PERCUSSION

       James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine

      Made by Lamson, Goodnow & Yale Company, Windsor, Vermont, and Shelburn Falls, Massachusetts; 1862-1864, 50,000 delivered.

      Three different variations of lockplate markings have been encountered. The first is marked in front of the hammer with a spread eagle over “U.S.” and beneath the bolster, “L.G. & Y. / WINDSOR-VT” in two lines. The date (1862 being the earliest) is stamped behind the hammer. The second type was marked with a large spread eagle over “U.S.” in front of the hammer and “L.G-Y. / WINDSOR- VT” in two lines beneath the bolster. Notice that the second in is italicized on this variant. The date (1863 being the earliest) is stamped behind the hammer. The third version does not have any eagle stamped on the plate and is marked beneath the bolster, “U.S. / L.G-& Y. / WINDSOR-VT.” in three lines. The bottom line is in italics. The earliest date to the rear of the hammer on the third version is 1864.

      Lamson, Goodnow & Yale Company received their two contracts, each for 25,000 stands at 20 each. The first was awarded on July 11, 1861, followed by the second on October 7, 1861. The company made its first delivery on September 24, 1862, and continued to deliver on the contracts at an average rate of 2,000 rifle-muskets per month until the final delivery on December 10, 1864.

      When the terms of the final contract were met, Messrs. Goodnow and Yale left the arms-making business. The company reorganized as E.G. Lamson & Company.

GOOD–$1,200

FINE–$3,500

       LAMSON & CO. SPECIAL MODEL 1861 RIFLE MUSKET, .58 CALIBER, PERCUSSION

      Made by E.G. Lamson, & Company, Windsor, Vermont, 1865, total quantity estimated at under 500.

      Lockplate marked “U.S. / E.G. LAMSON & CO. / WINDSOR VT” in three lines in front of the hammer. Behind the hammer, the plate is marked “1865.”

      Lamson did not receive a contract to manufacture Special Model 1861 Rifle-Muskets after Goodnow and Yale left the company in 1865. Though Lamson had contracts to produce Palmer and Ball & Lamson carbines, he obviously wanted to take advantage of the surplus parts still in the Windsor manufactory. Though the barrels of known E.G. Lamson & Co. rifle-muskets bear the usual “V / P / [eagle head]” proof marks, none of the completed arms received inspector’s initials on the stocks. It has yet to be discovered to whom Lamson sold the rifles.

GOOD–$1,350

FINE–$3,500

       U.S. MODEL 1863 RIFLE-MUSKET, TYPE I, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION

      Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts, 1863. Total production: 273,265.

      Overall length: 56". Weight: 8 lbs. 12 oz.

      Muzzleloader, single shot.

      “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD” below bolster cutout on lock plate; spread eagle at center of lock plate and on face of bolster; “1863” near rear of lock plate; “V / P” over eagle head on upper left barrel flat; “1863” on top flat of barrel; “U.S.” on tang of butt stock; inspector’s initials on left flat of stock opposite lock.