vmicraig
Sergeant
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2018
- Location
- London, England
One man's trash is another man's treasure. I'm curious as to everyone's opinion on Quaker guns. By Quaker, I'm referring to the altered, shortened or lightened rifles (many after the war and prior to auction) for common boys Brigades, cadet and military academies, and surely, for simple commercial profit. (Quaker guns can also refer to those guns with barrels replaced by wooden rods, etc, but I'm only referring to the first example for purposes of this post).
Depending on the source, I've read of some instances wherein cavalry and artillery units allegedly cut down full-sized weapons into carbine-sized guns, but am of the opinion that if this was done, it was most likely in very small numbers and probably late in the war and mainly among CSA cavalry units that did not have the industrial supply source as that of the Union. If I had to guess, the vast majority of Quaker guns on the market were probably never cut down to carbines for war use, but are most likely post-war cutdown by companies like Bannerman for sale to military schools, etc. I could be wrong, so please - if anyone has Quaker carbine examples wherein muskets or rifles were cut down for unit use, please share your stories.
Years back, I picked up the pictured M1861 Trenton contract Quaker gun or "carbine" as it was labeled at a Lexington, Virginia antique store. It was dust covered and had no ramrod, a broken wrist, but a clean lockplate. But for $200, I considered it a steal for the lockplate alone. It was once full sized and has a couple legible numbers on it - "171" at the heel of the butt (probably a rack number) and 33 at the barrel tang. Any idea on those numbers? It still bears a faint cartouche and a NJ barrel stamp, as well as the VP stamp.
Anyway, tell me your opinions on Quaker guns. Got any in your collections? Do you consider them important in the grouping of ACW weapons? Would you spend money on one if it happened your way? Why/Why not? Do you think they are trash or treasure?
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