James T. Hodge and Addison M. Burt were given government contracts to build US M1861 Springfield pattern rifles in December 1861. The two men set up shop in New Jersey's Trenton Locomotive Works. While their contracts were for a total of 50,000 muskets the two only delivered some 20,000 muskets to the Federal government while selling an unknown amount to state militias. This particular musket is one of the state militia-owned guns as evidenced by the New Jersey markings found on both the stock and breech. It seems that a majority of the state-owned Trenton muskets went to New Jersey, as a most surviving examples can be found with NJ stamps. However, this musket is unusual, as it is stamped in several places with the letters "A. Co."; an obvious abbreviation for "A Company". Muskets that were inventoried with such detail are extremely rare and desirable among collectors as these markings are one of the few ways to distinguish a musket that's actually been in combat from one that simply sat in a storage depot during the war.
Like many issued muskets, this Trenton remains in absolutely fantastic condition. It is 100% percent correct, and the stamps and proof marks on the all the components are all of Trenton manufacture according to Hartzler, Yantz, and Whisker's book The U.S. Model 1861 Springfield Rifle-Musket. It even has the remnant of an original sling still attached to it's front swivel!
The lock is in great shape with a smooth, untouched patina and good legible lock markings. The mechanics are perfect and the lock holds solid at both full and half cock.
The stock is well above average for a M1861. There are no chips or cracks anywhere and no burn-out behind the nipple. The NJ cartouche and A Co. markings are deep and legible. The lock moldings are wonderfully crisp as the stock has never been sanded or cleaned.
The barrel is good with excellent stamps at the breech and no major pitting. Both front and rear sights are intact and unmodified. The bore is good with sharp rifling and some scattered "frost pitting".
The furniture is all original and all matching. The ramrod is full length.
This M1861 just screams Civil War history and would make for a great addition to any history buffs collection.
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