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FENIAN BROTHERHOOD Antique U.S. ALFRED JENKS & SON “Bridesburg” Model 1863
Guns International #: 102992492 Seller's Inventory #: 244071
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: 1074
Total Number of Listings: 42633
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Credit Card, Certified Check, Money Order
Description:
FENIAN BROTHERHOOD Antique U.S. ALFRED JENKS & SON “Bridesburg” Model 1863
“IN” Marked & Used in the 1866 INVASION OF CANADA
Here we present an antique “IN” Marked Fenian Brotherhood Inspected Alfred Jenks & Son Contract Bridesburg U.S. Model 1863 Rifle-Musket, made in 1864. This U.S. Civil War Bridesburg Contract Rifle Musket represents a fascinating series of events in world history. Bridesburg Rifle Muskets were purchased as surplus just after the American Civil War by a secret Irish-American society calling themselves the Fenian Brotherhood. The Brotherhood plotted to invade and take over Canada (a British commonwealth) in order to negotiate the independence of Ireland from Britain.
The first attack happened in June 1866 just over the border from Niagara, New York. The attack involved 600 Fenians against a column of Canadian Volunteers, and the attack was successful. However, upon retreat back to the U.S. they were arrested, and the guns confiscated. A short time later, the guns were released back to the group via political connections and a second attack was plotted. The Rifle Muskets were quite obsolete by this time, so the Brotherhood updated many of them (not this example) using the patent of J&G Needham of England. The work was done in a shop in Trenton, New Jersey to about 5,000 rifles in 1869. This time the invasion was through Vermont in May of 1870 and involved 200 Fenians. This attack failed and resulted in their capture, ending a little-known chapter in world history.
The Model 1861/63 is representative of the “everyman’s” rifle during the American Civil War. About 1.5 million rifle-muskets were made in the U.S., over 800,000 of which were made by the Springfield Armory. In 1861 the Union was trying to make up for arms shortages and the destruction of the Harpers Ferry Armory with production at Springfield, supplementing this with contracts with over 20 other contractors, like Alfred Jenks & Son, for rifle-muskets. Jenks produced approximately 44,000 of the Model 1861/3 muskets.
This was the last hurrah of the rifle-musket as arms development and tactics rapidly advanced during the short period of the American Civil War. Nevertheless, the 1861 represented new technology as it was made for use with the Minié ball, a hollow based, conical projectile that was small enough to quickly push down the muzzle of a rifled barrel and expanded to create a good gas seal unlike a solid, round ball. Almost immediately after the war, the U.S. military switched from the old muzzle loading type weapons to the newer breech loading rifles, bringing an end to the musket as a standard frontline firearm in American history.
The overall condition is good. Dark patina throughout. The action is excellent. The bore is dim with thin rifling. The stock shows use and remains solid throughout. There is an “IN” marking stamped into the left stock flat that indicates the Fenians used it after the war.
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.
Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!
Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.
ancestryguns
$2800
#244071
SOLD
Antique: Yes