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1864 Vintage S.N. & W.T.C. Contract U.S. Springfield Model 1861 Musket for Massachusetts Units in U.S. Civil War * RARE! * Guns International #: 101837836 Seller's Inventory #: CBP21- Category: Civil War Rifles - Springfield Rifles - Antique Seller's Information When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com Seller: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc. Company: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc. Member Since: 4/27/15 State: Kentucky Zip: 40503 Country: United States Phone: (859) 276-1419 Fax: (859) 278-0838 Platinum Seller Number of Active Listings: 183 Total Number of Listings: 14926 Seller: FFL Dealer Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns. Payment Types Accepted: Visa,Master Card, Discover,Check Description: This is a very cool and very scarce U.S. Springfield Model 1861 Musket made under contract for the state of Massachusetts directly by the S. Norris & W.T. Clement firm located in Springfield, Mass.  The S.N. & W.T.C. firm made a total of only 11,000 of these muskets on a direct contract with the state of Massachusetts to be used by only Massachusetts-based units serving in the U.S. Civil War.  These muskets were of very good quality with all of the normal Springfield 1861-pattern features including a 40" inch .58 caliber rifled barrel, a full length Walnut stock with 3 iron barrel bands, two sling swivels with one located on the middle barrel band and one on the front of the triggerguard, a standard 1861-style lock with a 2-position hammer and clean-out screw on the nipple bolster, a steel ramrod with a tulip shaped end and swelled shank with a threaded end, a steel "U.S." marked buttplate, and iron sights with a two-position rear peep sight.  These muskets were made for just a two year period in 1863 and 1864.   The lockplate on these special muskets was stamped with an Eagle over "U.S." and "S.N. & W.T.C. FOR MASSACHUSETTS" to the right of the hammer, and the date of manufacture "1863" or "1864" to the left of the hammer.  This particular example was made in 1864, is 100% original, and is in very good to excellent condition overall.  As you can see from the pictures, this musket has a very attractive aged patina that is consistent across all of the metal parts.  While this musket shows some wear and handling marks it is free from any major damage, repairs, or bad spots/eyesores.  All of the factory markings are still fully intact and legible, including even the fine details of the U.S. Eagle on the lock.  All of the hardware in both the gun and stock appears to be original to the gun with the exception of the middle band screw holding the sling swivel on, which might be a later replacement.  The top tang of the buttplate has an additional marking of the number "39" below the usual "U.S." stamp, likely a rack or issue number to whatever Massachusetts unit received it.  While the exterior of this musket looks like it has seen some combat and time "in the field", the mechanics of the weapon are in perfect order.  The bore in this 1861 is truly exceptional, extremely bright and clean with very strong rifling and no visible pitting whatsoever.  The soldier that was issued this musket kept the barrel clean and lubricated.  The lock is in perfect working order, the hammer still has both the half-cock and full-cock notches intact (which are both solid), and the trigger breaks nicely with a fairly light pull.  There is no doubt that this Massachusetts-issued U.S. Civil War rifled musket would still function just as well today as the day it left the Springfield, Massachusetts-located S. Norris & W.T. Clement factory over 158 years ago!  If you have been looking for a truly unique and special new addition to your U.S. Civil War weapons collection here is your chance to get one of the more scarce private state contract variants we have had in some time.  This should be of particular interest to any Massachusetts-based Civil War buffs, and would make a great decorator due to it's handsome all-original looks.         SOLD Antique: Yes Rifle Caliber: .58 Manufacturer: S. Norris & W.T. Clement of Springfield, Mass Model: U.S. Springfield Model 1861 Musket (Massachusetts Contract) Serial Number: None Barrel Length: 40" Inches Bore: Rifled Condition: Very Good / Excellent Metal Condition: Very Good Wood Condition: Very Good Bore Condition: Excellent Barrel Type: Round Action: Single-Shot Cap & Ball Muzzle-Loader Stock: Oiled American Walnut Finish: Armory Bright Sights: Fixed Iron Sights w/ 2-Position Rear Sight Manufacture Date: 1864