Guns International #: 102941010
Seller's Inventory #: 244086

Category - Civil War Rifles - Antique Rifles - Cartridge

Category
Civil War Rifles
Antique Rifles - Cartridge

MERIDEN Mfg. Company MILLER CONVERSION U.S. M1861 .58 Rimfire Rifle-MUSKET 1864 Dated Antique PARKERS, SNOW & CO. Breech Loader

Description:
 MERIDEN Mfg. Company MILLER CONVERSION U.S. M1861 .58 Rimfire Rifle-MUSKET

1864 Dated Antique PARKERS, SNOW & CO. Breech Loader

Here we present an antique Meriden Manufacturing Company Miller Conversion of a U.S. Model 1861 to a .58 Caliber Rimfire Breech Loading Rifle, made circa 1864 and converted circa 1865-67 in Meriden, Connecticut. Only about 2,000 are known to have been made. Production of the U.S. Model 1861/63 rifle musket was in excess of 1 million during the American Civil War between Springfield Armory, Harpers Ferry and about 20 different contractors. It represented a streamlined and, in some ways, technologically advanced musket capable of accurate fire when compared to previous generations of American muskets. Yet it was adopted during a period of rapid innovation that would make it obsolescent before the war drew to a close. Many conversions appeared toward the end seeking to take advantage of metallic cartridge technology for a faster rate of fire. Such examples were the Snider, Joslyn, Needham, Peabody, and the most successful, the Allin, and this was not even all of them. This conversion, undertaken by the Meriden Manufacturing Company of Connecticut, produced the “Miller Model 1861”. The conversion was named for the patent holders William H. and George W. Miller. In the system, a release catch found along the top of the barrel was used to break the action open along a hinge, exposing the breech for inserting a cartridge. The patented arrangement was featured in Parkers, Snow & Company Model 1861 rifles.

The Parkers Snow Contract Model 1861 was the chosen host for this conversion. The lock is stamped with a large spread-winged eagle over “U.S.” and marked “PARKERS’ SNOW & CO. / MERIDEN, CONN” in front of the hammer. The date of “1864” is stamped back of the hammer. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms, “it represents the first venture in firearms manufacturing by Charles Parker of Meriden, Connecticut. Originally a manufacturer of hardware, he soon, after the Civil War, in 1866-1867 formed what was to become the most famous of all-American shotgun Manufacturers, the famous “Parker Brothers”. These are known to have been issued to New York and Maryland militias after the war.

The overall condition is good. Light gray patina throughout. The action is excellent. The bore is in good condition with some minor scale and light pitting and good rifling. The stock has been modestly refinished and remains solid. No ramrod.

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

Barrel is 39 inches.

Caliber: .58 Rimfire

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$2800

#244086
 

Price: $2,800.00                     Buy Now

Antique: Yes