Civil War US Model 1861 Rifle-Musket by William Mason

NSN, .58 Caliber, 40" barrel with an excellent, bright bore. This is a great looking musket that has matching 1863 dates on the lockplate and barrel breech. The metal was cleaned to armory bright at some point in the past, but has reacquired a dull gray patina with some scattered spots of darker freckling present, most noticeably around the nipple bolster. The "U.S. / Wm. MASON / TAUNTON" marking on the lockplate is still crisp and clear. The walnut stock has been lightly cleaned and has scattered small handling marks along its length under an added varnish. The ghost of a cartouche is barely visible opposite the lock, and a large rack number is present on the buttplate tang. The lock operates properly and firmly, and an original, correct ramrod that matches the rest of the metal is included. William Mason, of Taunton, MA, produced about 30,000 Model 1861 muskets under contract during the Civil War, and this example rates fine condition overall. Antique