Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original Civil War era Continental percussion rifle musket of French M1853/M1857 pattern, manufactured in Liège, Belgium and later surcharged N.J. for the State of New Jersey. It is a short two band configuration with a 33 1/4" rifled barrel, saber bayonet lug, long range ladder rear sight, and all iron furniture. The rifle musket shows substantial period service wear, with old oxidation and pitting that have been carefully cleaned and stabilized for preservation and display.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The rifle musket is built in the French M1853/M1857 pattern with a back action percussion lock. The lock is secured at the rear by a spanner type screw threaded directly into the stock. The lock plate shows old pitting and no visible maker name, with only a W stamped forward near the hammer.

The left side of the barrel breech area is stamped:

N.J

representing the New Jersey state surcharge.

Immediately adjacent is a Belgian Liège proof consisting of:

E / L G / * within an oval

A further Perron, or Tower of Liège, proof is present near the percussion bolster. These markings identify the barrel as Belgian proofed and are consistent with manufacture in the Liège gunmaking district.

European percussion arms of this general type were imported into the United States in substantial numbers before and during the Civil War through a variety of commercial suppliers. Examples were acquired by state and federal authorities as well as private and Confederate purchasing agents, though no specific Civil War unit or individual history is documented for this rifle musket.

This example is configured more like a short artillery or sappers rifle musket than a full length infantry arm. It measures approximately:

49" overall

with a:

33 1/4" barrel

and approximately .61 caliber bore.

The barrel retains four groove rifling. The right side of the muzzle is fitted with a long saber bayonet lug. The rifle musket is secured by two barrel bands and is entirely iron mounted. The top of the barrel is fitted with a flip up ladder rear sight for longer range fire. The sight remains functional and is a notable feature of the rifle musket's original configuration.

Sling swivels are present on the upper barrel band and at the lower rear of the buttstock. There is no provision for a sling swivel on the trigger guard, which is consistent with the original short rifle configuration rather than an altered full length musket. A ramrod is present beneath the barrel, though it is a postwar replacement.

The metal surfaces show extensive evidence of long service and past exposure to the elements. Old peppering and pitting are visible throughout. The metalwork has been cleaned and stabilized by antique gunsmiths, removing active oxidation while retaining an aged gray brown patina and the evidence of past use.

The percussion lock functions in its present condition and holds at full cock. It does not securely hold at half cock. The half cock position is also located very near the nipple cone. These observations describe only the current mechanical state of the lock and are not an indication that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The bore is mostly bright following cleaning and retains readily visible four groove rifling. There is evidence of old fouling and oxidation that has been cleaned away, together with the expected wear from extended use.

The wooden stock has an attractive medium brown color with visible grain and extensive service wear in the form of dents, dings, and handling marks. There is staining and cracking around the lock plate, but no major structural damage or obvious previous stock repair is described.

With its New Jersey N.J surcharge, Liège ELG and Perron proof marks, French M1853/M1857 pattern construction, short two band configuration, saber bayonet lug, ladder rear sight, four groove .61 caliber bore, and honest Civil War era service wear, this is a particularly interesting Continental rifle musket. The cleaned and stabilized pitting, nonholding half cock notch, postwar replacement ramrod, stock cracking around the lock, and absence of documented unit history are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a U.S. Civil War state issue, New Jersey militia, imported European arms, Belgian Liège firearms, or advanced percussion military rifle collection.

Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1855-1860
Caliber: about .61 inches, Four Groove Rifling
Model: French M1853/M1857
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 33 1/4 Inches
Overall Length: 49 Inches
Action type: Back action Percussion lock
Feed System: Single Shot
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.