Original Springfield Rifled-Musket

[firstexas]

Pards,

I have owned this original weapon since 1994. I am sad to say that I don't know too much about it. The lock is one I have not seen before and I am looking for some help/opinions on this piece. It is in fantastic shape, very clean with almost no patina. Please take a look at the pictures and let me know if you have any information. The lock is marked "1863" with a Federal eagle and U.S. near the hammer. It is also marked "S.N. & W.T.C. FOR MASSACHUSETTES." Thanks in advance.

[Bmanz1085]

Re: Original Springfield Rifled-Musket

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?4013-SN-amp-WTC-Rifle-Information-Wanted

Google is God

[firstexas]

Re: Original Springfield Rifled-Musket

Thanks a bunch Bob. I appreciate the help. Now I just gotta figure out what it is worth so I can sell it. Need to pay off some bills. Thanks again.

[Bmanz1085]

Re: Original Springfield Rifled-Musket

Well Lodgewood is selling a 1863 "SN & WTC for Mass." lock assembly for $295 and has a 2 band '63 listed at $995. I found a few sites that deal in antiques and depending on condition saw them listed from $500-$2,700, not an expert by any means, but one dealer claimed that the shorter versions were more prevalent on the market. Good luck with your endeavor.

[Bob McDonald]

Re: Original Springfield Rifled-Musket

Bill:

You may wish to take a look at the long arms section at www.horsesoldier.com They currently have quite a few '61 or '63 patterns, including an array of contractors, but no SN & WTC. Although I can't be certain from the photos, it appears that the metal has very minimal pitting and seems to be in quite fine condition. I'd expect it would bring a top-retail price in the $2,000 to $3,000 range. The real challenge will be to find an "ultimate" buyer rather than selling it to a dealer at discount. There are a few online auction sites for firearms. Just Google for them. Very best luck with your sale.


Bob McDonald

[tsgalloway]

Re: Original Springfield Rifled-Musket

I found one the was recently posted on an online forum for $995. It had little pitting, but wasn't as pristine as yours. Outside of how rare a firearm is, condition is everything.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Original Springfield Rifled-Musket

Condition... and originality.

One thing to consider is whether or not the high condition of the finish is "as manufactured", or has been cleaned up at some point. Sometimes it takes an expert to tell the difference. However, generally, you want to look for...
- "washed out" markings or stampings, versus crisp, deep letters
- pitting underneath finish (in the case of a blued gun), or bright metal with pitting.
- rounded corners -vs- crisp edges/corners
- "New saddle on a nag"... does the metal look to be in better condition than the wood? If so, perhaps the metal was cleaned-up, but the stock tells the true story. Or, if certain parts are in better condition than others, such as a crisp, new hammer with a pitted/worn bolster/cone, then it is an indication something is askew.

Not all "cleanings" are created equal. Purists would disagree, preferring to see honest patina. However, a careful (professional?) cleaning/restoration is clearly preferable to a novice with a buffing wheel.

Just some thoughts...

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Original Springfield Rifled-Musket

Hallo!

Correct...

And I would just add that "for sale' value is also complicated by one's region of the country as well as the location of the seller.
Meaning, the same gun will net less in Columbus, Ohio than it will in Washington DC.
And, when there is a "captive audience." Horse Soldier can tend to be higher than elsewhere because of the Gettysburg connection and customer profile.
OR, say the Nashville Civil War Show versus a small show at a county fair grounds.

Dealers are always a discussion... :) :) As are guns cannibalized for the higher profits from their parts versus intact self.
IMHO, it is always "interesting" to sell a gun to a dealer for say $1,000, and then go back to his table 15 minutes later and see the gun for sale for
$3,000.

:)

Curt