Parker Snow 1863

[Brasky]

Hello new member here with a Springfield 1861 made by Parker Snow in 1863. I think I've done more research on these in the past month than I have on any other firearms I've acquired and I still feel like I know very little.

As for the rifle. Here are my findings which may or may not be correct. Please add any comments about the rifle whether good or bad as I'm trying to learn.

The rifle is an 1863 Parker Snow. Metal is in great condition with light cleaning and sharp markings. Very little pitting anywhere. Barrel seems to be an E. Robinson. Is that correct? Eagle looks closer to Robinson than Parker and Snow. I also found one example of an E Robinson with a CBC marked barrel (this one has CBC inspector markings). Calvin B Cross

Stock is in great condition and appears to have had a coat of oil added at one point in time. Stock has a marking in front of the trigger guard. Appears to be a 2 but hard to tell. Is this a confederate capture and repair marking? Most claims are that they only used letter stampings but I have seen one claim of an ampersand and one claim they used numbers.

My final theory is someone combined a couple rifles to make one very clean looking example. Is there a chance this is a confederate capture and repair and that's why the barrel isn't a Parker and snow? Condition seems to be too good to have needed repair.

I can provide extra photos if wanted. Thanks!

 

[johan_steele]

There is nothing I see that indicates CS capture and reissue. Remember these have had 160 years to be tinkered with. I agree that this is likely a put together from disassociated parts but would not care if it were mine. You have a very nice looking original that I would go so far as to say is "as issued."

If she were mine I'd see how well she shot and then give her a good cleaning with hot water and gun oil then apply a half dozen coats of Kramer's Best and hang her on the wall as a center piece of my display.

 

[JOHN42768]

Very nice

 

[captaindrew]

Nice piece, thanks for sharing with us

 

[Brasky]

There is nothing I see that indicates CS capture and reissue. Remember these have had 160 years to be tinkered with. I agree that this is likely a put together from disassociated parts but would not care if it were mine. You have a very nice looking original that I would go so far as to say is "as issued."

If she were mine I'd see how well she shot and then give her a good cleaning with hot water and gun oil then apply a half dozen coats of Kramer's Best and hang her on the wall as a center piece of my display.

The bore does look great so I'm assuming it shoots great

 

[RSMorris]

What an awesome musket, you can easily make out the 2 cartouches on the flat opposite the lock. I have the book, Confederate Captured and Collected. Haven't seen anywhere it mentioning numbers being used.

 

[UCVRelics]

Nice looking P&S. I have always liked them as they were used post war for a breach loading conversion.

History Of The Parker Snow Musket Miller Conversion & Ammo Wanted!!! | Small Arms & Ammunition

Here is one that I really want to shoot before I part with it. I have looked everywhere for some ammo for this 1863 Parker Snow that has the Miller Breach Conversion. I can't even find a photo of the massive 58 cal cartridge. If anyone knows where I can get a few rounds please let me know. In...

civilwartalk.com

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

As you say, in the book by Whisker, Hartzler and Yantz, "The U S Model 1861" 2nd edition, the eagle on your barrel is a ringer for the Emerson eagle.
But remember that these companies subcontracted parts and bought parts from other contractors, so this might be the way this was originally made.
Here are photos of an OHIO marked Miller conversion of an 1863 Parker Snow musket - no proofmarks visible - likely the reworking of the breach removed them.

 

[Craig L Barry]

Nice piece, agree with Johan Steele. Good to find one that was not one of the Miller conversions as many were post-bellum.

 

[Lanyard Puller]

From Flayderman's Guide 9th edition;
In 1863 after delivering a total of 5502 rifle muskets, production was taken over by Charles Parker, also from Meridian Conn. and these variants also were marked "Parker's Snow & Co". Together 15,000 were delivered, and the "1863 " date is a bit more valuable.

Both Parker and Parker Snow made a total of 15000 guns.

Sorry but it has no CSA association.

 

[bayonet]

From Flayderman's Guide 9th edition;
In 1863 after delivering a total of 5502 rifle muskets, production was taken over by Charles Parker, also from Meridian Conn. and these variants also were marked "Parker's Snow & Co". Together 15,000 were delivered, and the "1863 " date is a bit more valuable.

Both Parker and Parker Snow made a total of 15000 guns.

Sorry but it has no CSA association.

"the 1863 date is a bit more valuable" well that put a smile on my face since I have one that was not converted and I have to go to a Wake later sadly.