1863 Dated VERY SCARCE Civil War C.D. SCHUBARTH Contract M1861 Rifle-Musket 1 of only 9,500 Made by C.D. Schubarth Dated “1863”

Description:
1863 Dated VERY SCARCE Civil War C.D. SCHUBARTH Contract M1861 Rifle-Musket

1 of only 9,500 Made by C.D. Schubarth Dated “1863”

Here we present an antique U.S. Model 1861 Rifle-Musket, made on contract by Caspar D. Schubarth of Providence, Rhode Island. Only 9,500 of these rifles came out of this contract, quite a small number when compared to the total. The M1861 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. 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 solid, round ball.

This example was made on contract by Caspar D. Schubarth, as noted above. Schubarth was an immigrant to the United States from Norway around 1851. He lacked any way to produce these weapons himself, but he figured that he could subcontract out for all of the necessary pieces and perform the relatively simple task of assembly. Knowing that it would take some convincing of the Ordnance Department to award him a contract, he enlisted the help of Senator James F. Simmons to write him a letter of recommendation in exchange for 5% of the contract, a bribe amounting to $50,000. Schubarth did better than others at obtaining parts from contractors, but only produced 9,500 of the 50,000 rifles between 1862 & 1863. The bribe was found out and investigated by a commission in Washington in 1862, but both the Senator and Schubarth were cleared of any intentional wrongdoing, especially on the part of the foreigner.

The overall condition is good. The barrel has been cleaned and is mostly bright. The action is strong. The bore is dim with good rifling. There is a single cartouche visible on the left stock flat. The rear swing swivel looks to have been broken off long ago. There is a repair to the stock behind the tail of the lock. Otherwise, solid throughout.

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

$2350

#244591

 

Antique: Yes

Price: $2,350.00
Buy Now