^Lot 37 British Pattern 1861 Perc. Short Rifle/Musketoon

Civil War Era British Pattern 1861 Percussion Short Rifle or Musketoon, by Barnett London, NVSN, .58 cal., 24'' barrel has integral blade front and small adjustable three-leaf rear sights; flush-mounted lockplate is marked ''Barnett/London'' in two lines under hammer; brass furniture including one-piece triggerguard, two ''eared'' lockplate screw escutcheons, buttplate, and nosecap; single iron barrel band with sling loop; iron trigger, and ramrod with button tip; oil-finished one-piece European hardwood fullstock with sling swivel at belly is marked in an oval cartouche on left side, ''Barnett/Gunmakers/London'', and with two proofmarks behind lower triggerguard tang. Condition is good to very good, the barrel a very deep dark brown with heavy pitting at breech, the other iron parts with an aged brown patina, the brass parts with a deep age patina. Stock is solid and showing the expected scrapes and dings of age and hard military use. Visible markings are clear. Gun is complete but for a missing top barrel band; the front sling loop is a hobbyist replacement. Action does not hold full-cock; smoothbore is clean showing scattered erosion. This is the type of small arm imported during the Civil War for use by Confederate artillery and cavalry units. Est.: $600-$900. (Antique)