Item Description
Original Item: Only one Available. This is very nice and interesting example of an Austrian M1854 Lorenz Percussion musket, almost certainly imported for use in the U.S. Civil War Many European powers were beginning to move to cartridge firearms, and with a huge market in the United States, sold off many of their soon to be obsolete firearms. Some of these reached the Northern Union forces, but more often, they were sent to the South, which did not have nearly the same level of industrial capacity.
This example was purchased at a recent military show and then fully cleaned to put it in its best light. The general rule of thumb on these is that the rifles that were shipped to Confederate forces were kept in the original .5473 in (13.9 mm) caliber, while the ones sent to the Union were all converted to take the standard .58 caliber that the Federal Government had started using in 1855 when they adopted the Minié ball. This example has a worn bore that measures out to about .59", so it is definitely one imported by Union forces, as other imports would have been left in the original caliber. The lock of this example looks to have been replaced at some point, possibly prior to importation, with an earlier pattern. This does however still bears the Austrian Imperial Eagle on the lock plate tail, as well as a date of 849, for 1849, which puts it perfectly into the Pre-U.S. Civil War Time Frame.
The rifle has the correct long range M1854 Lorenz pattern long range flip up rear sight, which has three range notches. Behind this is a faded maker marking, which looks to read "FIMEAHRER', though we have doubtless misread it due to the powder burn in the area. Both sling swivels are present and move well, and the correct brass tipped iron cleaning rod is still present, with intact but worn threads on the end. The lock is fully functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full. The bore is worn, showing oxidation and powder fouling, however it still also shows clear four groove rifling present. The stock is in very nice shape, with a lovely color, having stood the test of time quite well. There are some dents and small chunks missing, but nothing out of the ordinary for a rifle that has seen this much service. There also looks to possibly be some repaired cracking on the rear left by the barrel tang.
A fantastic example of an Austrian Lorenz short rifle, almost certainly used during the U.S. Civil War. Ready to research and display!
Specifications (Rifle)-
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1860
Caliber: about .59 inches
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 37 1/4 Inches
Overall Length: 52 Inches
Action type: Side action Percussion lock
Feed System: Single Shot
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