Guns International #: 101768689
Seller's Inventory #: 215119

Category - Civil War Rifles - Springfield Rifles - Antique

Category
Civil War Rifles
Springfield Rifles - Antique

RARE CIVIL WAR Antique Cadet SPRINGFIELD Model 1851 MUSKET VMI 1 of 4,000 Manufactured

Description:
RARE CIVIL WAR Antique Cadet SPRINGFIELD Model 1851 MUSKET VMI

1 of 4,000 Manufactured

Here we present an antique Springfield Armory U.S. Model 1851 Cadet Musket, manufactured in 1851 in Springfield, Massachusetts. The bulk of the muskets were smooth bored, with a total of around 4,000 being produced between 1851 and 1853. The smoothbores were made in .57 caliber with 40-inch barrels. These muskets were purpose built to be sent to the various military academies such as the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and other state military academies (Arsenal Academy, Citadel, King’s Mountain Military School, etc.). VMI itself received at least 200-300 of these Model 1851s, all dated 1851, as this one is. Those issued to VMI were actually used by the VMI Cadets in combat at the Battle of New Market on May 15, 1864, as 257 cadets were formed into four companies and some artillery. They marched from VMI to New Market (about 85 miles) in 5 days. They performed admirably, fighting under Confederate General John C. Breckenridge, even helping to hold the line while their compatriots gathered themselves and pushed back the Union forces. The aftermath was 10 cadets killed and 45 wounded.

This rifle features metal surfaces that were finished bright. The lock has the federal eagle over US forward of the hammer and “SPRINGFIELD 1851” behind the hammer. The barrel tang is likewise dated 1851. The butt plate is marked “US”. The left side of the barrel is marked “V”, “P” with an eagle head. The left side of the stock has a inspector cartouche.
There are three instances of the initials “WHS”: on the right side of the butt stock, on the trigger guard tang, and on the stock between the trigger and lock. The left side of the stock is marked “W. H.” and what appears to be the name “SELBY”, though it is crude and faint and difficult to make out. According to Civil War soldier records, there were only two persons of that name to fight for the Confederacy and one for the Union. All were privates named William H. Selby. The first two fought for Virginia: one for H Company of the VA 4th Infantry (he was wounded at Manassas July 21 1861, then killed carrying the colors at Groveton, VA 28 August 1862), and the other in H Company of the VA 25th Infantry (he was killed 27 October 1861 at Monterey, VA). The Union soldier mustered into the MO 2nd Light Artillery Battery I on 1 October 1861 but no record follows.

The overall condition is very good+. Gray patina on the original “bright” finish throughout. The markings are clear. The action is excellent. The bore is smooth and in very nice condition for age. The walnut stock shows use and remains in very good condition. It has a good cartouche on the left stock flat and the initials/name as mentioned above. A very neat example of a rare antebellum cadet musket!

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 40 inches.

Caliber: .57 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$3515

#215119
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes