The Model 1861 Special Musket was originally developed by Samuel Colt in 1861 to fill a government contract; Colt combined the best features of the British Enfield and American Springfield to yield a suitable weapon. The musket developed was the 1861 Special Musket, in addition to Colt manufacturing these muskets a few other firms were contracted production. This musket is marked L. G. & Y Winsor VT. L.G. & Y stands for Lamson, Goodnaugh & Yale who contracted 50,000 of these muskets. This musket appears to be the earliest of the three variations. This particular musket is dated 1862 on the lock. It has been reamed to a smoothbore "farmer shotgun" and has a well aged appearance.
Originally rifled in .58 caliber the bore has been drilled to a .60 caliber smoothbore and the bore is dark and very rough. The barrel was once finished armory bright but has developed a gray brown patina with age. The military style front sight and original three leaf rear sight with 100, 300, and 500 yard position remain. The barrel has a heavy textured patina around the nipple and the proof marks are no longer legible. The nipple is a modern replacement.
The walnut stock has scattered handling marks The heel of the buttplate is marked U.S. just forward of the retaining screw. The cartouche marks are no longer visible and the side panel has some orange peel texture around the lock bolts as if it was exposed to a heat source for a period of time.
From below the rounded toe and triggerguard of the musket can be seen. The triggerguard has a dark speckled aged patina. Three barrel bands hold the barrel to the stock and act as guides for the ramrod, which is missing. The middle band has the appropriate sling swivel and the rear swivel is mounted to the front boss of the trigger bow.
Ignition for the musket is provided by this original percussion lock. Originally finished with a color case hardened finish. the lock has acquired the same antique patina, with the hammer darker than the plate. Additionally the lock carries a variety of original markings that have a worn appearance. Dated 1862 on the tail. The eagle over U.S., and the markings below the bolster that read L. G. & Y/WINSOR VT. The nipple is a modern replacement. We did not dismount it.
This is a original 1861 Special Musket made by Lamson, Goodnaugh & Yale to fill a U.S. government contract of 50,000 total arms. This early marked variation will make an excellent addition to any Civil War collection looking for a representative example, or it would make a nice decorator. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.
Originally rifled in .58 caliber the bore has been drilled to a .60 caliber smoothbore and the bore is dark and very rough. The barrel was once finished armory bright but has developed a gray brown patina with age. The military style front sight and original three leaf rear sight with 100, 300, and 500 yard position remain. The barrel has a heavy textured patina around the nipple and the proof marks are no longer legible. The nipple is a modern replacement.
The walnut stock has scattered handling marks The heel of the buttplate is marked U.S. just forward of the retaining screw. The cartouche marks are no longer visible and the side panel has some orange peel texture around the lock bolts as if it was exposed to a heat source for a period of time.
From below the rounded toe and triggerguard of the musket can be seen. The triggerguard has a dark speckled aged patina. Three barrel bands hold the barrel to the stock and act as guides for the ramrod, which is missing. The middle band has the appropriate sling swivel and the rear swivel is mounted to the front boss of the trigger bow.
Ignition for the musket is provided by this original percussion lock. Originally finished with a color case hardened finish. the lock has acquired the same antique patina, with the hammer darker than the plate. Additionally the lock carries a variety of original markings that have a worn appearance. Dated 1862 on the tail. The eagle over U.S., and the markings below the bolster that read L. G. & Y/WINSOR VT. The nipple is a modern replacement. We did not dismount it.
This is a original 1861 Special Musket made by Lamson, Goodnaugh & Yale to fill a U.S. government contract of 50,000 total arms. This early marked variation will make an excellent addition to any Civil War collection looking for a representative example, or it would make a nice decorator. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.
