Steven Knott, who first identified and cataloged these markings in his 2019 “’Captured and Collected’ Confederate Reissued Firearms”, estimated totals passing through the system as whole at perhaps 200,000 from battlefields, mostly in the eastern theatre, where Lee’s victories left Confederates in possession of the field, and another 50,000 or so turned in by CS units. These went largely to CS facilities at Danville, Staunton, Lynchburg, and Richmond. Knott’s initial catalog of markings included the letters A, F, Q, T, and Z. This has been expanded slightly and includes an ampersand "&" stamp indicating the letters need not correspond to an inspector’s initials. The weapon here offered for sale has the "T" stamp just ahead of the trigger guard. What is also of tremendous interest to the student of Confederate firearms is that stamped under the barrel is a "Q" the identical font to those seen on the C & R weapons worked on at the Richmond Artillery Workshop, but it is 1/3rd the size of that found on the stocks. If nothing else this places "T" in Richmond.

The C & R rifle-musket offered is in NRA excellent condition. It was found in Northwestern Virginia about 10 years ago. When purchased by the present consignor the arm was black from over 100 years hanging near a fireplace or coal stove. After washing the arm down with mineral spirits there appeared a weapon of unbelievable condition both wood and metal. No abrasives were used in the cleaning. It is impossible to state what the core weapon is before it was recovered by the Confederates. The lock is marked "MUIR & CO. WINDSOR LOCKS, CT." and dated "1864". The "1863" dated barrel is .58 caliber and deeply rifled. The "VP" and eagle stampings indicate it was made by Union Arms Company a rare contract of 1863. The 3-barrel bands have different "U" marks with the front band possibly Richmond? The fine smooth stock with nice corners shows no evidence of Northern inspector's stamps which makes one believe that the Confederates were turning stocks somewhere. The gun is "in the bright" as originally issued. The swelled ramrod is original and threaded. The rear sight retains 90% original factory blue as, incredibly, does the percussion nipple. The "T" is well defined and between it and the trigger guard there appears to be half an "O" or perhaps a "Q".  Very likely assembled from parts recovered on the Overland Campaign of 1864 this weapon must rate as one of the finest condition C & R arms extant. [pe][ph:L]

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