Guns International #: 102207951
Seller's Inventory #: 226945

Category - Civil War Rifles - Antique Rifles - 1500-1850

Category
Civil War Rifles
Antique Rifles - 1500-1850

Scarce SOUTHERN Antique VIRGINIA MANUFACTORY Musket CIVIL WAR Bolster Conv Richmond, VA Musket Made in Only State Run Armory

Description:
Scarce SOUTHERN Antique VIRGINIA MANUFACTORY Musket CIVIL WAR Bolster Conv

 Richmond, VA Musket Made in Only State Run Armory

Here we present a Antique Richmond Manufactory Conversion Musket, originally made in Richmond, Virginia circa 1821 and likely converted just prior to or during the American Civil War. The original 1st models were produced between the time the Manufactory opened in 1802 through 1808 and the 2nd model Virginia Manufactory Muskets were built from 1809 to 1814. They were completely hand built and as such several variations have been noted between muskets. This example was built shortly thereafter. These converted muskets are generally classified as Confederate weapons. This is an example of a very rare Virginia Manufactory musket likely used during multiple conflicts. It is truly an amazing firearm that is yet available to be preserved as an artifact of the Civil War and the State of Virginia.

In 1802 the first state owned firearm factory began production under superintendent, John Clarke. The factory produced not only firearms, but swords and bayonets all the way up until 1821 when production ceased. By this time, many other sources of firearms were being more readily produced and the armory was no longer necessary. That and, according to Giles Cromwell, Virginia went through a period of stagnation due to economic factors in the state that lasted from about the time the Manufactory closed up to when the Civil War began.

Due to the shortage of percussion small arms at the onset of the Civil War, the bulk of Stonewall Jackson's divisions were armed with flintlocks at the start of the Valley Campaign, including many from the Virginia Manufactory arsenal. When the Civil War began, records show that virtually none of the Virginia Manufactory muskets had been converted at all. From October 1, 1859 to November 1, 1861 over 44,000 Virginian long arms were issued from stores, all still in their original flintlock configuration. No other flintlocks are recorded as having been distributed after this last date, and Cromwell suggests that this was the beginning of a campaign to cycle these muskets back through for update and conversion to percussion.

There was a short revival period of the factory during the Civil War, but in 1865 a fire destroyed the interior and it was never rebuilt. In recent years, a Federal Bank and a packaging company have completed construction over top of the Manufactory’s original site leaving no traces of the country’s earliest state-owned firearm factory. All we have left to remember this part of history by are a few public records and the products the factory produced. Luckily, we have one of those few muskets here!

This musket received a pretty hasty bolster conversion from flintlock to percussion—look at the remnants of the brass flashpan! At some point after the service life of this musket it was turned into what is basically a shotgun with the stock and barrel being trimmed for weight or possibly due to damage. A ramrod tube was affixed to the bottom of the barrel. This is certainly a gun that was used for a significant part of the 19th Century!

The overall condition is fair. Original patina throughout. The action is strong. The bore is untouched, dusty and smooth. The stock has been cut shorter and the barrel band is a bit loose. Stock shows lots of wear. There is a short split at the front lock screw head on the left stock flat, otherwise solid.

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

Barrel is 36-1/8 inches.

Caliber: .72 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$1600

#226945
 

SOLD

Curio/Relic: Yes
Antique: Yes