Product Description
PARKERS, SNOW & Co. U.S. CONTRACT M1863 .58 Smoothbore Shotgun Conversion
CIVIL WAR Composite Percussion Rifle-Musket
Here we present an antique U.S. Contract Parkers, Snow & Company Percussion Rifle-Musket, made in 1863 in Meriden, Connecticut. While it took the Union the first couple of years of the Civil War to ramp up its production capacity, it was contractors like Parker Snow and many others who gave the sole surviving National Armory at Springfield the necessary boost in production to fully equip its armies and end the dependency on imports from Europe. For example, the Union had imported nearly half a million Enfield rifles from Great Britain since 1861 but by the early fall of 1863, with domestic production in full swing, it had no need to purchase Enfields.
Parkers, Snow & Company’s story during the Civil War aligns almost perfectly into the above paragraph. Prior to the war, Charles Parker and Snow had merged their operations to become the Meriden Machine Company. The company had both a machine shop and a foundry where they produced train wheels, steam engines, printing presses, and piano stools. During the early part of the Civil War, Parkers’ Snow & Company had functioned in the role of supplier for various components, such as trigger guards and locks, for the Model 1861 which it sold to other contractors. As the war progressed, their foothold on the Model 1861 expanded and so did their confidence. On Sept 28, 1863, Parker Snow took things a step further and acquired its own government contract for 15,000 muskets. Having an excellent machine shop, skilled workmen, and prior experience manufacturing components for the Model 1861, there was practically no doubt these factors helped the company fulfill 100% of its contract with all 15,000 units delivered to the US government by November 1864. See “The Rifled Musket” by Claud E. Fuller, pages 194-95. Following the war, the company became better known for its line of double barrel shotguns which we know today as Parker Brothers.
This example is a composite musket that the smoothbored barrel and stock have both been shortened. The trigger assembly appears to be from a trapdoor rifle. The lockplate, hammer, and barrel all appear to be from different guns.
The overall condition is good. Patina throughout. The action is strong. The bore is smooth and bright. The stock shows much use.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 33-1/4 inches.
Caliber: .58 Percussion
Overall condition as seen in photos.
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$900
#240127