WILLIAM MASON CONTRACT MODEL 1861 RIFLE MUSKET

$1,850.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 482-461

This is a nice gun with a bore that will clean to near mint, good wood, and nice markings the metal with is generally smooth with nice color, but shows some vise marks near the breech. Springfield could not meet demand for the Model 1861 rifle musket with the outbreak of the war and numerous contracts were given to private firms to produce the weapon. Mason, of Taunton, Mass, received a contract in January 1862 for 50,000 rifle muskets of the 1861 pattern to be delivered starting in July, and if he could fulfill that contract he would be in line for a second in the same amount. Needless to say, like many contractors, he was a bit optimistic. He detailed his progress and problems to the Ordnance Commission in April 1862, and was granted an extension of his contract, but with a reduction to 30,000 rifles. Even then, July 1862 was unrealistic for an initial delivery, but things finally got moving in May 1863 with deliveries in batches of a thousand, ending in late August 1864.

This one is dated 1863 on the lock and barrel. The lock has good eagle forward of the hammer and “U.S. / Wm. Mason / Taunton” below the bolster. The wood has good color and finish, nice edges, with a tight fit to the metal, and a deep inspector’s cartouche on the left flat. The edges around the lock are sharp. There are some marks around the rear lock screw on the left. The edges of the forestock are very good, as is the ramrod channel. The buttstock is good, but does have some old handling dings on the left and a couple of old scrapes on the belly. The lock has a tight fit and is smooth metal. Lock and hammer are mix of muted silver gray with some mottled blues from faded case color.

Small subinspector stamps are visible on the barrel bands. The V/P/[eagle head] barrel proofs are crisp at the left breech and a barrel inspector’s initial is visible at the side. The only fault is that the breech shows some dings and vise marks. The barrel date is pretty clearly 1863, but dings on the surface make the last digit hard to read. The nipple shows some wear and corrosion from firing so some previous owner was trying to clean it up. Both sights are present. The rear sight has both leaves and shows some thin blue at the back. The barrel is a thin plum brown from faded blue. Bands, springs, swivels and rod are in place and good. The mechanics are good. The bore is dirty, but will scrub out to near mint.

This is the basic Civil War infantryman’s long arm in good condition and well worth the money.  [sr]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

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