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Scarce CIVIL WAR Antique P.S. Justice Rifle-Musket
Guns International #: 101194648 Seller's Inventory #: 6034
Category: Civil War Rifles - Antique Rifles - Percussion
Seller's Information
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Seller: AncestryGunsLLC
Company: Ancestry Guns LLC
Member Since: 11/3/16
State: Missouri
Zip: 65203
Country: United States
Phone: (314) 707-7373
International Phone: 314-707-7373
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 1469
Total Number of Listings: 29976
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Credit Card, Certified Check, Money Order
Description:
Scarce CIVIL WAR Antique P.S. Justice Rifle-Musket
3-Band Iron Mounted .69 Caliber Musket
Here we present an antique P.S. Justice 3-Band Rifled-Musket, made circa 1861 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The American Civil War had just begun and both sides were desperate for small arms. Phillip S. Justice was there to answer the call for the Union, and he was able to make quick delivery of about 2,174 .69 caliber rifled-muskets. These came in several different variants based on parts available from previous model of U.S. muskets. While he was able to deliver product to the right place at the right time his muskets were not quite known for their high quality, for instance, he did not necessarily use seasoned wood for the stocks. Ordnance reports were scathing, to say the least, after Justice brought suit against the government for not paying for all the rifles. See one testimonial from an officer below. The case was initially decided in Justice’s favor, but eventually made its way to the Supreme Court and the lower court ruling was reversed, deciding in favor of the government. One source states that the majority of these muskets were eventually issued to the 58th, 88th, and 95th Pennsylvania Volunteers. A fascinating story of profiteering at the beginning of the American Civil War!
“The arms which were manufactured at Philadelphia, Penn., are of the most worthless kind, and have every appearance of having been manufactured from old condemned muskets. Many of them burst; the barrels are very light, not one-twentieth of an inch thick, and the stocks are made of green wood which have shrunk so as to leave the bands and trimmings loose. The bayonets are of such frail texture that they bend like lead, and many of them break off when going through bayonet exercise. You could hardly conceive of such a worthless lot of arms, totally unfit for service, and dangerous to those using them.”
--Col. Thomas D. Doubleday as quoted in History of the Great American Fortunes published in 1910 by Gustavus Myers
This specimen is a First Type with iron hardware in a 3-band configuration. The lock and barrel are marked “P.S. JUSTICE/PHILAD.” Other reports speak of these muskets exploding. There may be far fewer today than we know. However, this one, while not falling within the guidelines of the Model 1861 Muskets, does not seem of poor quality. Perhaps it is an exception. The barrel bands all fit nicely, though there is some obvious shrinkage around the butt plate.
The overall condition is very good. The iron surfaces are smooth and dark with age. The markings are legible. The walnut stock is smooth and solid with a few old handling marks. The bore features good rifling and bright surfaces under a good layer of dust. The action is excellent. Here is a very scarce Civil War musket from early in the war with quite the colorful past!
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 39 inches.
Caliber: .69 Percussion
Overall condition as seen in photos.
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ancestryguns
$1650
#6034
SOLD
Antique: Yes