RARE Antique LINDSAY SUPERPOSED Two-Shot Model 1863 RIFLE-MUSKET CIVIL WAR “ADK” ORDNANCE CARTOUCHES

Product Description

RARE Antique LINDSAY SUPERPOSED Two-Shot Model 1863 RIFLE-MUSKET CIVIL WAR

 “ADK” ORDNANCE CARTOUCHES

Here we present an antique J.P. Lindsay U.S. Model 1863 Rifle-Musket, manufactured in New York circa 1864. This supercharge muzzle loader was capable of firing two shots instead of the usual single load used with the standard Union rifle-muskets. The two hammers were intended to be engaged by a single trigger, with the right hammer being the first one intended to fall. The U.S. Ordnance Department ordered 1,000 of these muskets in December of 1863, and they were all delivered by August 1864, and the 16th Michigan Infantry is the only known unit to have been issued the longarm. While only 1000 of these guns were issued, it received widespread acknowledgement as one of the American Civil War’s least favored longarms.

The Lindsay’s unusual design called for two full charges to be loaded, one load on top of the other, and ignition of the charges came from twin side by side hammers that rested on two percussion cones. Despite having two hammers, the rifle had only one trigger and one barrel. It was designed to always drop its right hammer first to fire the front, superposed charge. If both hammers were cocked, it was intended to only drop the right one. Soldiers soon found out was the Lindsay, much like many new recruits, had difficulty telling right from left. If the left hand hammer dropped first igniting the back load, heavy recoil ensued as both loads discharged. Soldiers in the 16th Michigan Volunteers in combat at Peebles Farm, Virginia in 1864 reported that in the heat of battle, simultaneous discharge of both charges was a common event and the stress of firing a double charge often destroyed the gun.

J.P. Lindsay, inventor of this musket and some similar handguns, had a brother who was killed and scalped by Indians. While his brother was able to kill one of his two attackers with his single shot musket, the second attacker was able to overcome the now defenseless man. Lindsay always felt that a two-shot firearm might have made the difference in his brother’s final fight.

Overall, this is a nice example of a very scarce U.S. issued Civil War musket. Many of the Lindsay Double Muskets that were issued were either damaged or destroyed in the field, and nice, complete, martially inspected examples like this are quite rare. It is even more rare to be able to link a model of musket to a specific regiment, but all research indicates that the 16th Michigan Volunteer Infantry were the only soldiers to be issued these muskets. Considering the small contract for these guns, the significant loss in the field and relatively low survival rate of these guns, examples in any condition are rarely found.

The overall condition is very good. Gray patina throughout. The actions are excellent. The bore is in good condition with strong rifling. The left stock flat shows two clear cartouches. The numbers 66 and 59 are located on each side of the heel. There is a diagonal cut that has been filled on either side of the action which may have to do with this peculiar type of action. The rest of the stock shows normal use and remains solid.

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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$4500
#240417