{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-era-n-j-surcharged-belgian-liege-proofed-french-m1853-m1857-pattern-61-caliber-percussion-rifle-musket-circa-1855-1860","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Era N.J. Surcharged Belgian Liège Proofed French M1853\/M1857 Pattern .61 Caliber Percussion Rifle Musket, Circa 1855-1860","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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 \u003cstrong\u003eN.J.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \u003cstrong\u003eW\u003c\/strong\u003e stamped forward near the hammer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left side of the barrel breech area is stamped:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN.J\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003erepresenting the New Jersey state surcharge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImmediately adjacent is a Belgian Liège proof consisting of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE \/ L G \/ * within an oval\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA further \u003cstrong\u003ePerron\u003c\/strong\u003e, or \u003cstrong\u003eTower of Liège\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEuropean 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is configured more like a short artillery or sappers rifle musket than a full length infantry arm. It measures approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e49\" overall\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewith a:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e33 1\/4\" barrel\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand approximately .61 caliber bore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSling 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYear of Manufacture: Circa 1855-1860\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: about .61 inches, Four Groove Rifling\u003cbr\u003eModel: French M1853\/M1857\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Cap and Ball\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 33 1\/4 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 49 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Back action Percussion lock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Single Shot\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45588614545477,"sku":"ONSV26WSV127","price":1295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/1579EBBE-43EF-403D-AF4B-5B5DF15370F6.jpg?v=1787342192","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-era-n-j-surcharged-belgian-liege-proofed-french-m1853-m1857-pattern-61-caliber-percussion-rifle-musket-circa-1855-1860","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}