Civil War Contract Model 1861
 

When is a Parker, not a Parker? I own an 1863 "PARKERS'SNOW & CO., MERIDEN CONN." contract model 1861 musket. 1863 is stamped on the lock and barrel. It is in very good condition and is a shooter. I use it to hunt. In order to begin establishing the provenance for my file, I would like to learn about the manufacture and delivery of the 1863 rifles. There are no serial numbers. Are the Civil War Parker, Snow & Co. records still available? Any information is appreciated. I too am a proud owner of a Parker. Wayne

http://www.forensicdefense.com/Parker m1861.jpg
http://www.forensicdefense.com/Parker m1861 2.jpg
http://www.forensicdefense.com/Parker m1861 3.jpg
http://www.forensicdefense.com/Parker m1861 4.jpg
http://www.forensicdefense.com/Parker m1861 5.jpg
http://www.forensicdefense.com/Parker m1861 6.jpg
http://www.forensicdefense.com/Parker m1861 7.jpg
http://www.forensicdefense.com/Parker m1861 9.jpg

It is indeed a Parker ;) I think it was one of Charles Parker's mergers (or acquisitions - I really do not know?) with Snow & el. to become Meridan Machine Tool. As I posted to you before - all I know is that with the sidelock date, yours I think is one of about 5000 produced to fulfill the original contract for the 15,000..?

How does she shoot???

Best to you!

John

accuracy
 

You can hit beer bottles with it at 100 yards. On the range it is 4"-6" group (just as advertised during the war). With my current minie ball, Lee .578 at 478 grains, it likes 65 grains of FFg. < powder and it becomes erratic which I think is the minie skirt not expanding (even with lube in the base). I appreciate knowing it may be part of the original production run. Now to find out where they were shipped. Thanks

Your gun seems to be of somewhat high condition. We would like to see some more pictures of your gun so we can see what the condition really is. We should be more interested in Miller conversions and Triplett and Scott guns. Maybe we will suggest a separate forum for those guns and a database for serial numbers, since we have no records to access.

Here are some additional pictures. Wayne

I believe the 1863 govt. order for 15,000 of these Rebel killers was filled. In 1865, post war, Charles Parker was awarded a second government contract to convert 5000 of the muzzle loaders to breech-loaders using the Miller brothers' patent. You have a very nice example of the unaltered muzzle-loader.

It may not be a shotgun, but it is a Parker none the less. . . Thanks that is good to hear. The workmanship is superb and tolerances are still tight. Wayne

the sights are interesting ch

John, the term (rebel killers) is not needed. being from the south I do not need to be reminded. My great grandfather and his two brothers were at Gettysburg two were killed and great grandfather Thomas was wounded and captured,this is fathers day. I hope I do not hurt anybodys feelings over this .Gary

John is a son of the south as well, I'd imagine he was using the phrase "rebel killer" with a bitter note and not as a rallying cry.

DLH