Original U.S. Civil War Austrian M1854 Lorenz .54cal Percussion Rifle with Socket Bayonet - dated 1860

Original Item: Only one Available. This is a lovely patinated example of an Austrian M1854 Lorenz Percussion musket with bayonet, almost certainly imported for use in the U.S. Civil War Many European powers were beginning to move to cartridge firearms, and with a huge market in the United States, sold off many of their soon to be obsolete firearms. Some of these reached the Northern Union forces, but more often, they were sent to the South, which did not have nearly the same level of industrial capacity.

The general rule of thumb on these is that the rifles that were shipped to Confederate forces were kept in the original .5473 in (13.9 mm) caliber, while the ones sent to the Union were all converted to take the standard .58 caliber that the Federal Government had started using in 1855 when they adopted the Minié ball. This example has a worn bore that measures out to about .55", so this definitely has a good chance of being one imported by the Confederacy, though we did not find any markings on it from importation. The lock of this example still bears the Austrian Imperial Eagle on the lock plate tail, as well as a date of 860, for 18601, which puts it perfectly into the U.S. Civil War Time Frame.

The original rear sight on the rifle has been replaced by a tall fixed sight, though this looks to be a post war addition, as it shows little to no oxidation. The trigger guard sling swivel is present, while the upper barrel band has been replaced with a simple one with no bolster for a sling swivel. We checked the bore, and the 4 groove rifling is definitely still present

however the bore also shows a good amount of fouling and oxidation, which was not cleaned out after use. It now is mostly dark, and we can definitely see areas of pit rusting. The area around the cap nipple cone bolster shows heavy past powder burn, now cleaned away, which has definitely eroded the metal and stock. The cap nipple cone looks to be original, and shows the same erosion. We checked the lock, and it is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full. The stock is in lovely condition, with a great dark red brown color, and we do not see any major damage, just the usual wear from use. The original brass tipped cleaning rod is still present.

A lovely well-used example of an Austrian Lorenz short rifle, possibly a Confederate import for the U.S. Civil War. Complete with its original bayonet, this rifle is ready to research and display!

Specifications (Rifle):-
Year of Manufacture: 1860
Caliber: about .55 inches
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 37 1/4 Inches
Overall Length: 52 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side action Percussion lock
Feed System: Single Shot

Specifications (Bayonet):-
Blade Length: 18 1/2"
Blade Style: Cruciform
Socket Length: 3 1/4"
Overall length: 22"

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