Description:

INSCRIBED 2ND NEW HAMPSHIRE INFANTRY SOLDIER''S SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1863 RIFLE
Springfield Model 1863 percussion rifle, 40" barrel, 59 1/2"overall, in .58 caliber, identifiable by the lack of barrel-band springs. The lockplate is dated "1863" behind the hammer, and is marked "U.S. Springfield" with a federal eagle. A smaller federal eagle appears on the side of the breech beneath the nipple. Two indistinct inspector''s marks appear on the left-hand side of the wrist, and the initials "U.S." appear at the top of the butt plate. Most interestingly, the stock of the rifle bears numerous inscriptions, executed in groups of small dots, likely burned into the wood with a pointed metal object. The right side of the butt is inscribed: "Bull Run July 31 1861" (oddly, since the Battle of Bull Run took place on July 21, and it would be anachronistic for a Model 1863 Springfield to have been used there). This inscription overlies a carved letter "C". The left side of the butt is inscribed: "KLLD NH Benham 2 RGT". The left side of the stock opposite the lock plate is inscribed "H A", short for the full name "Heman Allen", which is inscribed further down the forestock. Finally, the right-hand side of the forestock bears the upside-down inscription "Col[onel] Marston". The 2nd New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry regiment was commanded by Col. Gilman Marston, and did see service at the First Battle of Bull Run. Historical records show that Heman Allen was mustered into the regiment in June of 1861 and was captured at Bull Run. He was imprisoned in Richmond and then New Orleans until October of 1862, and then deserted in May of 1863. He then rejoined the unit in June, and served until being mustered out in June of 1864. It is possible that Allen received a new rifle when he rejoined the regiment, and chose to memorialize his earlier service through these inscriptions. The bore is smooth, with no trace of rifling, and the rifle bears a grey patina on all metal fixtures. An intriguing Civil War relic.

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May 9, 2017 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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