Description
This weapon began its career as a standard rifled musket, caliber .58, which was produced under US Government contract during the Civil War. It was then issued to state troops of New Jersey as shown by the “N.J” stamping.
Some of these weapons were altered to a shorter barrel length to be issued to artillery forces as they had to defend their positions generally at close range. This weapon has been arsenal altered to a shorter length while maintaining the full military form.
Several thousand rifles of assorted patterns were purchased by New Jersey from Schuyler, Hartley and Graham in late Spring, 1863. This weapon was likely part of that delivered contract.
