W M. Muir and Co. Model 1861 Contract Rifle-Musket.

[drm2m]

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William Muir and Company of Windsor Locks, Connecticut received a contract dated December 7, 1861 calling for 30,000 Model 1861 rifle-muskets to be delivered for a price of $20 each.
This contract was completed, with deliveries beginning on January 22, 1863 and ending on November 3, 1864.

I believe that there was a bit of a scandal regarding this contract as many of the arms delivered by Muir were of inferior quality, and reimbursement was made accordingly, with some being accepted at the low rate of $15.90 each.

There many different contracts awarded to manufacture the Model 1861 rifle-musket in addition to 265,129 Model 1861 rifle-muskets that were produced at Springfield during 1861 and 1862.


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If there is an inspector's acceptance stamp on the stock is is pretty obscured.

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.58 and .577 caliber paper cartridges are shown below.


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The bayonets below are Type 1 and Type 2 U.S. Model 1855 Bayonets that were used with most U.S. rifle-muskets during the Civil War.


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David

[threepdr]

David,

Great Pics!

The difference between the Type I and II Model 1855 was in the truning radius of the locking ring...is that correct? I thing the change was made before the Model 1861 came out.

[drm2m]

Thanks Threepdr,


According to Robert M. Reilly in his book, “American Socket Bayonets and Scabbards”
the difference between the Type 1 and Type 2 U.S. Model 1855 bayonets are described below.

David



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[drm2m]

If you are interested in this kind of stuff, I would like to recommend two books,....if you don't already have them.

The first book....I would buy before the book on socket bayonets...unless you are really into socket bayonets and scabbards.

The first books deals with all the guns (including handguns) and the relevant sabre type bayonets.
It is done in a sketch form as opposed to a photo format, and the descriptions are very detailed.

David


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This book is also worth a read....it has been around for a long time as a serious reference book on the subject of "The Rifled Musket".


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