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EXTREMELY RARE Antique HENRY E. LEMAN Lancaster Percussion RIFLED MUSKET Documented CIVIL WAR Era made in LANCASTER, PA!
Guns International #: 102422655 Seller's Inventory #: 217703
Category: Antique Rifles - 1500-1850 - Civil War Rifles
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:
EXTREMELY RARE Antique HENRY E. LEMAN Lancaster Percussion RIFLED MUSKET
Documented CIVIL WAR Era made in LANCASTER, PA!
Here we present an antique Henry E. Leman Percussion Rifled Musket, made circa the start of the Civil War in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Henry Eichholz Leman was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1812, and died there March 12, 1887. His ancestors had lived in Lancaster County for generations but there is no evidence that any of them were gunmakers, making him a first generation gunmaker. Leman was famous Pennsylvania gunmaker, and while his percussion conversion muskets, military rifles and sporting rifles are well known, most collectors are unaware that he ever produced a military style rifle musket.
Though we have sold many rare Civil War firearms, this may be the rarest that we have had the pleasure of selling. Until 2006, there was no documentation that Leman had ever produced a full length, military style rifled musket. However, in the 2006 book “The US M-1861 Springfield Rifle Musket” 2nd Edition by Whisker, Hartzler & Yantz, a .58 caliber 3-band rifle musket by Henry Leman is illustrated on pages 220 & 221. The gun at that time was in the Peter Albee collection, and according to the text, “a three-band rifle musket is also known”, indicating that it was the only one known to the authors at that time. Subsequently Mr. Albee discovered a second example of these incredibly scarce guns, and sold it to another collector, and it was the second known example.
This gun is what we believe to be third example known and came out of the George Moller Collection and is documented and described on pages 397-399 in his book American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III with the exact musket photographed on pages 397 and 398. The total number of these muskets manufactured is unknown, but the number is extremely low, no doubt less than 100. Leman never modernized his manufacturing facility and as such relied on hand made parts, which did not allow for the interchangeability of parts between rifles. The process of making arms by hand was also much slower than the process that used at least some machinery to produce the arms. The failure to modernize prevented Leman from securing any U.S. Ordnance Department contracts to produce rifled muskets during the American Civil War.
Henry E. Leman's business career, 1834 to 1887, covered an important transition period in the evolution of fire-arms, changing from flintlock over to percussion, and then to cartridges. Leman started his career making flintlocks. Soon he changed to the muzzle-loading, percussion-cap rifles which made him famous. And, he lived into the years when the modern cartridge breech-loading guns came into general battlefield use.
Leman was also noted to be very active in firearms trade with the early American Indians. Frank R. Diffenderffer, always a close observer as well as a noted, accurate historian, noted this: "Between 1857 and 1870 I was engaged in trades over the West and Southwest, making trips across the plains from Missouri to Mexico, and also from the Gulf of Mexico into Arizona. During that time it was my fortune to meet many tribes of Indians,—Apaches, Navajos, Comanches, Cheyennes, Kaws and Arapahoes, and most of them carried guns as well as bows and arrows. When occasion offered, I took pains to look at the names of the makers stamped on the weapons. By far the largest number were Leman rifles, and inquiry always revealed the preference of these Indians for the Lancaster-made guns over all others. It was possible to barter with the Indians for almost any of their possessions, but never for a Leman rifle."
The overall condition is good. This piece has been refinished and restamped. Strong action. The bore is bright and nicely rifled, slightly dimming towards the muzzle. The stock is solid with less than average wear (minimal scuffs and dings). Legible markings. Both the bayonet and leather sling remain in good shape. “H.E. LEMAN/LANCASTER PA” is marked on the lock and barrel tang.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 40 inches.
Caliber: .58 Percussion
Overall condition as seen in photos.
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ancestryguns
$2795
#217703
SOLD
Antique: Yes