Guns International #: 102873407
Seller's Inventory #: 217132

Category - Civil War Rifles - Antique Rifles - Percussion

Category
Civil War Rifles
Antique Rifles - Percussion

Scarce CIVIL WAR Antique P.S. JUSTICE .69 Caliber UNION ARMY Rifle-Musket 3-Band Brass Mounted .69 Caliber Musket with Bayonet

Description:
Scarce CIVIL WAR Antique P.S. JUSTICE .69 Caliber UNION ARMY Rifle-Musket 

3-Band Brass Mounted .69 Caliber Musket with Bayonet

Here we present an antique P.S. Justice 3-Band Rifled-Musket and bayonet, made circa 1861 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The American Civil War had just begun and both sides were desperate for small arms. Phillip S. Justice was there to answer the call for the Union, and he was able to make quick delivery of about 2,174 .69 caliber rifled-muskets. These came in several different variants based on parts available from previous model of U.S. muskets. While he was able to deliver product to the right place at the right time, his muskets were not quite known for their high quality. For instance, he did not necessarily use seasoned wood for the stocks. Ordnance reports were scathing, to say the least, after Justice brought suit against the government for not paying for all the rifles. See one testimonial from an officer below. The case was initially decided in Justice’s favor, but eventually made its way to the Supreme Court and the lower court ruling was reversed, deciding in favor of the government. One source states that the majority of these muskets were eventually issued to the 58th, 88th, and 95th Pennsylvania Volunteers. A fascinating story of profiteering at the beginning of the American Civil War!

“The arms which were manufactured at Philadelphia, Penn., are of the most worthless kind, and have every appearance of having been manufactured from old condemned muskets. Many of them burst; the barrels are very light, not one-twentieth of an inch thick, and the stocks are made of green wood which have shrunk so as to leave the bands and trimmings loose. The bayonets are of such frail texture that they bend like lead, and many of them break off when going through bayonet exercise. You could hardly conceive of such a worthless lot of arms, totally unfit for service, and dangerous to those using them.” --Col. Thomas D. Doubleday as quoted in History of the Great American Fortunes published in 1910 by Gustavus Myers.

This specimen is a Third Type in a 3-band configuration and the double curved trigger guard. The lock is marked “P.S. JUSTICE/PHILADA.”MIDDtn/CONN/1837”. With this being a Model 1861 musket and having a 1837 dated lock plate, it gives credence to Colonel Doubleday’s above quote!

The overall condition is very good. Original patina. Strong action. The bore is semi-bright with good rifling. Solid stock contains an average amount of wear (minor dents and dings). “1837” dated lock. Both the leather sling and bayonet are in good shape.

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

Barrel is 39 inches.

Caliber: .69 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$2775

#2171132
 

Price: $2,775.00                     Buy Now

Antique: Yes