E. KNAPP CIVIL WAR Antique WILLIAM MASON U.S. Model 1861 .58 Rifle-MUSKET INDEPENDENT PENNSYLVANIA BATTERY “E” KNAPP’S BATTERY

Product Description

1. KNAPP CIVIL WAR Antique WILLIAM MASON U.S. Model 1861 .58 Rifle-MUSKET

INDEPENDENT PENNSYLVANIA BATTERY “E” KNAPP’S BATTERY

Here we present an antique U.S. Model 1861 Contract Rifle-Musket, made by William Mason of Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1864 and stamped “E. KNAPP” on the bottom of the stock. Mason entered into a contract with the U.S. Ordnance Department to manufacture 30,000 model 1861 rifle muskets and completed the order on time.

Independent Battery “E”, Pennsylvania Light Artillery, also known as Knapp’s Battery, was an artillery battery that served in the Union Army throughout the duration of the American Civil War. The unit organized in September 1861 from the elements of two infantry regiments and served until June 14, 1865. The battery participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain and Antietam in 1862, and Chancellorsville and Gettysburg in 1863. That fall, Battery “E” transferred to the Western theater where it fought in the battles of Wauhatchie, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Ringgold Gap. The years 1864–65 saw the unit take part in the Atlanta Campaign, Sherman’s March to the Sea, and the battles of Averasborough and Bentonville in North Carolina. Battery E marched in the Grand Review of the Armies before being mustered out.

The Model 1861 was the primary musket at the start of the American Civil War. The musket was designed to fire the .58 caliber Minié ball. The M1861 is representative of the “everyman’s” rifle during the war. About 1.5 million rifle-muskets were made in the U.S., over 800,000 of which were made by the Springfield Armory. This was the last hurrah of the rifle-musket as arms development and tactics rapidly advanced during the short period of the American Civil War. Nevertheless, the 1861 represented new technology as it was made for use with the Minié ball, a hollow based, conical projectile that was small enough to quickly push down the muzzle of a rifled barrel and expanded to create a good gas seal unlike a solid, round ball. Almost immediately after the war, the U.S. military switched from the old muzzle loading type weapons to the newer breech loading rifles, bringing an end to the musket as a standard frontline firearm in American history.

The emergency that confronted the nation with the onset of civil war overwhelmed the productive capability of Springfield Armory. The federal armories simply could not manufacture enough weapons to outfit the thousands of soldiers quickly filling the ranks of Union armies. This situation was worsened with the loss of the armory at Harpers Ferry. Outside help was needed, and the government procured the assistance of over 20 private manufacturers producing over 643,000 muskets. Springfield Armory provided technical assistance and supervised the manufacturing and distribution of the Model 1861 muskets so that these contract weapons essentially conformed to the “government model” of the .58 caliber rifle musket. These weapons, as opposed to the numerous pistols and carbines that were purchased on contract, differ basically only in the markings on their lockplates.

The overall condition is very good. The action is excellent. The bore is reflective with strong rifling. The stock shows use and remains solid throughout. The name “E. KNAPP” is stamped on the underside of the stock, forward of the trigger guard.

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

Barrel is 40 inches.

Caliber: .58 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

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$3400
#244038