Guns International #: 102072894
Seller's Inventory #: 220578

Category - Civil War Rifles - Antique Rifles - Percussion

Category
Civil War Rifles
Antique Rifles - Percussion

Antique CIVIL WAR Basler TURNER TYPE Back Action Rifle w/SABER BAYONET Lug SCARCE Percussion TURNVEREIN RIFLE

Description:
Antique CIVIL WAR Basler TURNER TYPE Back Action Rifle w/SABER BAYONET Lug

SCARCE Percussion TURNVEREIN RIFLE

Here we present an antique Basler Turner Rifle, made circa the late-1850s in Cincinnati, Ohio. This one features an octagonal barrel with a saber bayonet lug on the side. Double set triggers. Back action lock. Maker marked top barrel flat.

Turner Rifles like this are scarce. The Turnverein (or simply Turners in America) were nationalistic German-American gymnastics (athletic) clubs. Many were recent immigrants to the United States, arriving in the late 1840’s and early 1850’s. When war broke out in their newly adopted land, many Turners rushed to enlist, and often sought out units comprised of their own members. The most famous Turner regiments were the 9th OH volunteer infantry (raised in the Cincinnati area) and the 17th MO volunteer infantry, known as the Western Turner Rifles raised in the St. Louis area. Although both of these units were raised in specific areas, they drew Turner’s from all over the U.S., including cities like Baltimore and Philadelphia, as well as those in the mid-west and west.

While the styles and variations of the rifles were quite wide ranging, the two features that were typical of these guns were the addition of sling swivels, which were uncommon on civilian rifles, and a large lug to accept a saber bayonet, which was almost never encountered on civilian guns. The saber bayonets were typically very large, often featuring Yatagan or Bowie style blades, in the range of 18”-24" and with cast brass hilts. 

The 9th Ohio kept at least some of their Turner rifles longer than most Turner regiments. Diary accounts from the 9th Ohio talk about the 9th routing the Confederates during the 1862 Kentucky campaign with a bayonet charge that included their massive Turner bayonets. Even into the fall and winter of 1862 the 9th kept at least one company armed with these rifles to act as skirmishers. In fact about 30 years ago a relic hunter dug a Turner bayonet from a 9th Ohio location at the battle of Stones River fought December 1862 through January 1863 in Murfreesboro, TN. That means at least one 9th Ohio soldier was still carrying his large bayonet and likely his rifle as well as late as January of 1863.

This is a hard to find example of a rarely encountered Turner rifle by a Cincinnati gunsmith who worked for a limited amount of time during the antebellum era. This rifle was very likely owned by a member of the 9th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and likely saw extensively Civil War use. 
The overall condition is good. The iron parts show some weathering. The barrel is marked “BASLER CIN O”. The action is excellent. The hammer looks like a period replacement that has a period repaired spur. The bore is patinated with good rifling visible. The stock is solid.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 30-7/8 inches.

Caliber: .41 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$2465

#220578
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes