LINDSAY M1863 TWO-SHOT RIFLE MUSKET

LINDSAY M1863 TWO-SHOT RIFLE MUSKET

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$4,750.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-823

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All prominent metal surfaces are smooth and armory bright, with only some light pitting on the trigger and guard. Rifling remains strong and prominent, though the bore would benefit from a careful cleaning to reveal the full details. Barrel bands are each stamped with “U” sub-inspection letters. The trigger face and guard localized areas of superficial pitting. Elevated rear sights retain most of the original blued finish and butt plate is “US” stamped on the top flat.  The weapon no longer retains its Lindsay patent stamp on the breech or other sub-inspection stamps. The light pitting around the breech and the condition of the nipples strongly suggests repeated use and more than one cleaning.  Perhaps this also suggests that our example was one of the few to see combat service with the 16th Michigan or field testing with New Hampshire Volunteers, though that cannot be confirmed.

Stock is in overall nice condition. Two oval script "ADK" (Andrew D. King) inspection cartouches are stamped on the left stock flat. Relatively few minor dings and dents are noted throughout, but are shallow and do not detract from the attractive tone and grain pattern of the stock.

Approximately 1,000 of these unique two shot rifle-muskets were manufactured by J.P. Lindsay of New York between 1863-1864. They are known to have been tested by or issued to the 5th, 16th, and 23rd Michigan and 9th New Hampshire. The 9th tested "the new double-shooting rifles" on November 8th, 1864 and found that they "...showed off their demerits to good advantage, flashed, fizzled, and failed famously; enough to secure their condemnation and a speedy exchange to the Springfield rifle." However, it appears the 16th Michigan carried the rifles for at least a short time during the Petersburg campaign.

The Lindsay was designed to always drop its right hammer first to fire the front, superposed charge through a channel that directs the percussion cap’s ignition. If both hammers were cocked, this double rifle musket was intended to initially only drop the right one. What soldiers in the field found out was that the Lindsay, like new recruits, sometimes would have difficulty in telling right from left. If the lefthand hammer was cocked and dropped first, igniting the back load, heavy recoil ensued as both loads discharged – or induced an explosive failure. Few Lindsays received favorable mention from the soldiers that received them.

Soldiers of the 16th Michigan Volunteers in combat at Peebles Farm, VA in 1864 reported that in the heat of battle, simultaneous discharge of both charges was a reportedly common event – due to distraction, or simply forgetting one’s left from right - and the stress of firing a double charge often destroyed the gun.  The gun was also prone to fouling of the unique vent channel or improper sealing of the stacked rounds, which resulted in respective jamming or failure.

As innovative as it is rare, this weapon is sure to be a feature of any Civil War collection.  [cm] [ph:L]

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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