Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German .69 caliber, "Brunswick" Model 1835 Two-Groove rifled, single-shot muzzleloader in very good condition, made for the Kingdom of Saxony circa 1840. This was more or less the prototype for the British P-1837 Brunswick Two Groove rifle, as at the time both Hanover and Great Britain had the same head of state. The British were experimenting with the Hanoverian percussion rifles at the time, of which this is a very nice example. Brunswick (Braunschweig) was closely associated with the Kingdom of Hanover at the time, and utilized these same weapons.

As with many percussion weapons of the time, many were sent to the United States during the Civil War, as the now obsolete percussion arms were cheap and just what the confederacy was looking for. This lovely example is in very nice patinated condition, and has a characteristic lock plate that has a beveled square edge at the front, while the rear is more pointed. It is marked forward of the large hammer is Crause in Herzberg., a well known maker of the time.

A website sponsored by the Springfield Museum sheds some light on the weapons manufacturer:

“Carl Phillip Crause (who signed his products only with his last name) operated a gun manufactory in Herzberg on the Harz in the northwestern German kingdom of Hannover from the close of the Napoleonic Wars until of 1857. The main production of his factory was devoted to military arms for Hanover and the surrounding principalities. Weapons of his manufacture included the Brunswick M1835 and M1848 rifles, the Hanoverian M1850 and M1854 rifle-muskets and Jager rifles, and the M1840 and M1849 rifle-muskets of the Hanseatic League (a coalition of the north German states of Oldenberg, Hamburg, Bremen, and Lubeck). The latter two arms were subsequently altered to accept the elongated projectiles popular during the 1850s, and a few thousand evidently imported into the United States and saw service during the American Civil War."

We did not find any import or state markings on the rifle, however it is marked with 4B 2C N47 on the side plate, and there is also 2B IC / 47 on the bottom of the trigger guard. We assume that these are Saxon regimental markings. 

The rifle definitely does show wear from service, with the metalwork displaying a brown peppered patina overall. The rear sight is still intact, and has 5 different range markings. both sling swivels are also present, though they do show wear and oxidation. The lock is functional, but does not seem to have any provision for a half cock. There are various markings on the metalwork and stock that could definitely be avenues of future research.

The stock is in good condition, except for the last two inches near the butt plate, which look to have suffered long term water damage, or maybe even fire damage. This portion of the musket is in very delicate condition, and care should be taken, lest the delicate wood shatter. The rest of the stock looks to have some type of varnish on it, which is most likely not original.

A lovely example of an early percussion rifle design from Germany, possibly imported for the U.S. Civil War. Ready to restore or display as is!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1840
Caliber: .69" with two-groove rifling
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 39 inches
Overall Length: 55 1/2 inches
Action: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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