Lot 135
Austrian Model 1854 Lorenz Rifle Musket Type II with Bayonet
Sale 2030 - Arms, Armor and Militaria
Oct 23, 2024 10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati

Estimate
$1,000 - $1,500
Lot Description
Austrian Model 1854 Lorenz Rifle Musket Type II with Bayonet
American Civil War
.58 caliber. 37.25" octagon to round barrel secured by three flat, spring-retained bands. NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, beech stock without cheek rest. Single shot muzzleloading percussion rifle musket. Lock unmarked forward of the hammer, tail of lock with {Austrian Double-Headed Eagle}. Lock is a repurposed earlier Austrian Model 1838/42 lock, reprofiled for use in the Lorenz. Type II configuration with long range leaf rear sight in correct long dovetail cut with correct semi-helical profile musket front sight that doubles as a socket bayonet lug. Retains both sling swivels and a correct pattern original Austrian ramrod that is full-length but is missing the threads at the end. Includes a correct pattern Austrian Model 1854 Socket Bayonet. The Austrian Model 1854 Lorenz was the third most used infantry long arm of the American Civil War by both sides with hundreds of thousands being imported for use. The guns were imported in their original 13.9mm caliber (.547), as well as in various calibers that were attempts to ream them up to the more traditional .58 caliber then in use by both combatants. This example is one of those modified guns with a nominally .58 bore. Reports indicate these "modified" Lorenz rifle muskets arrived with bores anywhere from about .55 to .60 on the US side. The conventional wisdom has always been that the the nominally .54 caliber guns with block sights were more likely to have "southern" use, but little evidence backs that up, although there appears to have been more of the original caliber guns in use by the Confederates than by the Union simply because the Confederates were acquiring them as they already existed and were not having the guns modified at additional expense. This is a classic example of a gun likely delivered by an importer like Herman Boker. This gun is purely commercial without Austrian military markings, using a stock made without a cheek rest, all Austrian military guns had the cheek rest, and built with a repurposed older pattern lock remanufactured to fit and function in the Lorenz. A solid example of a Lorenz that was clearly imported for Civil War use, almost certainly by the Union.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
Condition Report
Good. Bore very dark and heavily oxidized with the weak but visible rifling. Metal with a moderately oxidized salt and pepper patina of freckled discoloration over gray metal. Mechanically functional lock. Stock near very good, showing scattered bumps, dings and mars, as well as some chipped loss around the tang and some of the surface grain cracks typically encountered on Austrian guns, most notably along the toe and comb of the stock. Bayonet good to very good.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Hindman staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Hindman website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Hindman.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
Search