Original Item: Only one Available. It has been quite some time since we have had one of these, and this is also an example that led a very interesting life after its military service! It looks to have been used as a ceremonial "Lodge Gun", in this case during the early 20th century for a "tribe" of the "Improved Order of Red Men", a fraternal order founded in 1834 with claimed direct descent from the pre-revolutionary "Sons of Liberty" group. As with most fraternal organizations, they had many individual groups, and in this case they borrowed from the imagery of Native Americans. The gun was decorated on the right side with numerous copper topped tacks, as Native Americans were believed to do, and it also had text inlaid into the stock with brass wire.

The butt stock has the most text, and reads as follows:

THOMAS PEOPLES.
CATASAUQUA.
TRIBE.
204.
PA.
T.O.T.E. REDMAN.

Next to this is the date MARCH / 23rd 1922, presumably when the lodge was founded, or when the gun was installed. We have been able to find online that this particular "tribe" did exist, and we can find listings as both "Redman Tribe 204" and "Catasauqua Tribe No. 204 of the Improved Order of Red Men". This particular chapter no longer exists, so we assume the lodge gun was taken home after this, and later sold on the market. Definitely some very interesting history!

Aside from the fraternal organization connection, this is also a nice example of a Miller Patent Breech-loading rifle, which started out as a Civil War Model 1861 Springfield Rifle Musket, dated 1864, made by PARKERS ' SNOW & CO. MERIDEN, CONN, as listed on the lock plate. There is also the "Federal Eagle" over U.S. marking, indicating military production. Commonly referred to as the "Springfield" (after its original place of design and production, Springfield, Massachusetts), it was the most widely used U.S. Army weapon during the Civil War, favored for its range, accuracy, and reliability. It has the correct solid spring retained bands and three leaf rear sight of the model 1861. Many contractors did not update to the model 1863 Springfield by the end of the war, as it would have required updating their tooling, and their contracts also did not dictate any need.

The U.S. Civil war had confirmed the adage of NEED is the Mother of INVENTION. Muzzle Loading Muskets and Rifles were extensively used but new developments continually resulted in a "fresh" breech loading system being adopted on a trial basis. With the advent of breech loading cartridge firearms, the government was looking for cost effective ways to modernize their rifles, and one way was to convert muzzle loading Rifle muskets to a breech loaders. The Union had as many as NINETEEN different systems issued during the war, some of which were extremely complex.

The Miller Breach Loading system for the 1861 Springfield involves a flip up breach block allowing access to the chamber of the .58 Rimfire 39" barrel. The rifle now measures 56" in overall length.

The conversion breach block is clearly stamped on the top:-

In Military Trials in 1867 performance was spotty with several misfires however there appeared to be considerable gas "leakage" around the primer, resulting in this system not being adopted by the Government. Consequently few example were ever produced, making every example rare.

Our example is in good condition, with relatively crisp markings on the lock plate and breech block, and a lovely polished aged patina on most of the metalwork. We do not see any real peppering, just some scuffing and striations from repeated cleaning. The bore of the barrel is in very good condition, showing crisp lands and grooves with a mostly bright finish. There is some past fouling and oxidation present, as to be expected from the days of black powder. The breech loading mechanism is still present, but there are parts missing, such as the lever that engages the ejector on the left side. There is a non original nut on the left side of the pivot pin, and there are also cracks partially through the top of the breech block present as well. The lock is fully functional, holding correctly at half cock, and firing only at full. The rear three leaf sight is fully intact, moving easily.

The stock is in good condition, with the previously mentioned customizations as a lodge gun. We can also see that the gun did at one point crack completely through the lock plate / action area, which is somewhat common due to all the wood being removed from the area. To repair this, a large custom made steel side plate was fitted on the left side of the stock, which has both lock screws through it, as well as a third screw farther back over the trigger. The barrel bands are all present, with the correct U markings, with a U.S. marking on the butt plate tang. Both sling swivels are present and move easily, and there is the correct tulip headed ramrod with the enlarged shank present under the stock, which has intact threads.

A lovely example of a rare breech loading conversion that saw some very interesting post war military service, ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1864 - converted c.1865.
Caliber: .58"
Cartridge Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 39 Inches
Overall Length: 56 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Trapdoor Breech Single Shot

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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.

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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. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.