This original Civil War longarm is a .58 caliber contract Special Model 1861, single-shot muzzleloader in good overall condition. This musket was a product of the firm of Amoskeag Manufacturing Company of Manchester, New Hampshire. Just over twenty-seven thousand longarm muzzleloaders were produced by the firm during the years 1862 thru 1864.

Iron lock plate surface wears a gray finish with light mottling, never cleaned. Lock markings are “U. (spread-winged eagle) S. AMOSKEAG MFG. CO. / MANCHESTER, N.H.” Clearly stamped behind the hammer is the date “1863”. The forty-inch barrel wears a dark plum brown color with moderate to heavy pitting at the bolster area. Bore is dark and dirty. Rifling appears good. Top flat of barrel breech heavily pitted and no date remains. Left facet of barrel shows very light proof marks “V / P/ Eaglehead.” Barrel has the single leaf rear sight, the small blade front sight, and both sling swivels. Hammer holds full cock and falls when trigger is squeezed. Does not hold half cock. Tumbler needs replaced.

The dark black walnut stock appears to be untouched and exhibits scattered scratches, minor dings and scuff marks overall. There is one old chip of wood missing just under the nosecap along the ramrod channel. Chop meas. approx. 0.50 an inch. Butt appears to have been struck with something. There is a hole in the wood near the top edge of the cheek. The hole meas. approx. 1.00” x 0.50” with small short cracks on either side. The bottom of the cheek has another tiny chip approx. 3.25” from the toe. This chip has a small crack running on either side of it for a total of 3.50.” There is no inspector cartouche is visible. Original screws bear slight evidence of buggering.

Original buttplate, triggerguard, bands and nose cap. Bands held in place by screws and not springs. Butt tang marked “US” and the wood just above it is stamped with a “21” over an “H.” Retains its original, steel, tulip-shaped ramrod in good condition with threaded tip.

This weapon was procured from a family in the Gettysburg area.

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