Arms, Armor and Militaria

.54 caliber. 33" round barrel secured by two flat brass spring-retained bands. NSN. Originally with browned barrel, color casehardened lock and hammer, brass furniture, walnut stock. Single shot percussion muzzleloading rifle. Lock marked with a {Spred-Winged Eagle}/US forward of the hammer and in three vertical lines HARPERS/FERRY/1855 at the tail. Breech plug tang dated 1855 as well. Breech with correct small V/P/{Eagle Head} proof and an WW/P inspection mark. Counterpane with no legible inspection marks but with a weak JLR inspection inside the patchbox cut-out, the mark of Harpers Ferry Rifle Manufactory Foreman John L. Rowe. Patchbox cut-out with the three router pilot holes found on Harpers Ferry made 1841 rifle stocks. Spare cone in patchbox. Buttplate without the "US" on the tang, as is correct and with Harpers Ferry added B.39 bayonet mating mark. Muzzle face additionally stamped D10, the original bayonet mating mark. While most examples with mating marks on both the muzzle face and buttplate tang are re-alterations of previously altered guns, this one is still in the correct and original Type IB configuration. The gun retains the screw-adjustable ladder rear sight, known as the Benton Sight, the first long range adjustable sighting system to be applied to M1841 Rifles at Harpers Ferry. In the end, it was found that these were simply too fragile for field use and were equally difficult to use. As such, many Type I alterations later received sliding ladder sights to replace the Benton sight. It is also equipped with the bayonet lug with 1" guide key on the right side of the barrel, near the muzzle. The first Type I alterations received a ring bayonet. To make room for the bayonet's hilt Harpers Ferry shortened the forestock and added newly made, shorter upper barrel bands, being 2.5" long rather than 3.375". This rifle retains all the correct parts as well as the sling swivels, and a Harpers Ferry all iron ramrod that was added to some alterations for use with conical ball ammunition. A small GDM stamp is present near the buttplate in the toe of the stock to indicate ownership by the late George D Moller. According to Moller's research some 1,041 Harpers Ferry made M1841 Rifles were returned to the arsenal from the Washington Arsenal during Fiscal Year 1855 to receive the Type IB modifications of the Benton sight and saber bayonet lug. The guns were left in their original .54 caliber configuration. Some of these were later further upgraded to Type IIB rifles with the new rear sight. This is a very rare gun, almost never seen for sale and from the preeminent collection of US Military Long Arms. A correct pattern saber bayonet for this rifle is being offered in the timed online sale that accompanies this live sale.