1863 Dated William Muir & Co. Contract Model 1861 Rifled Musket Marked “PROPERTY OF STATE OF KANSAS”
The Model 1861 was the principal issued arm for the U.S. army during the American Civil War and was in active service from 1861-1865, and was originally produced at the United States Armory and Arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts. From mid-1861 to the end of 1863, the Springfield Armory produced 265,129 Model 1861 rifles at the price of $15 per rifle, but to meet the demands of war, increased their production by issuing out contracts to 20 privately owned companies and firms who could meet the demand. And by the end of 1865 over 1,000,000  Model 1861 rifles were produced for Military service and private civilians.
One of these firm’s to receive a contract was William Muir & Co. The firm of Wm Muir & Co. received a US contract for 30,000 model 61 rifles, on December 7th 1861. Before the war William Muir was a New York Dry Goods Merchant who had never produced rifles before, nor did he have the machinery to do so. Without the means to produce the rifles, Muir associated himself with Oliver T. Burt, who on October 6th 1862, purchased  land and machinery to produce rifles from the Dinslow & Chase Company located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. With this association with Burt, Muir was able to produced 29,000 model 61 rifles, with 14,000 being produced in 1863 and 15,000 in 1864. Post-War Ordnance Department records on contractors credit Muir for 30,000 rifles total. The additional 1,000 rifles were most likely produced by other contractors, but credit was given to Muir.
The Model 1861 rifle that was produced by the 20 privately owned companies and firms, except for two,  followed the same pattern as those produced at the Springfield armory. The rifles had a walnut stock that was 52 13/16” in length,  Iron mountings, 3 spring retained barrel bands and a flip-up leaf sight finished in both “Armory Bright” and “Blued”. Its Barrel was octangular at the breech for 2 ¼” then round which tapered in diameter toward the muzzle and was 40” long, giving the rifle an overall length of 56” and was finished in “Armory Bright”. It weighed approximately 9lbs, fired a .58 Cal. Minié ball, and had an effect range of 400-500 yards on a man sized target with a maximum firing range of 900-1000 yards.
The rifle was have for offer, is a wonderful 1863 dated Wm Muir & Co. Contract U.S. Model 1861 Rifled Musket, that has been marked “PROPERTY OF STATE OF KANSAS”. The rifle is 100% complete, retaining all of its original parts and is in good Condition. All of the metal components on the exterior have a beautiful untouched brown patina. Both the lock plate and barrel are stamped “1863” for the year produced. The Lock is stamped “Wm MUIR & Co./WINDOSR LOCKS,CT.” in two lines forward of the hammer, as well as, the spread-winged American eagle motif over the letters “U.S”. The proof marks “V,P, an eagle” are stamped on the left flat portion of the barrel, as well as, the sub-inspectors stamp initials “E.C.B” in block letters. “E.C.B” is the sub-inspector stamp of Edmund C. Bailey. Bailey, was a civilian sub-inspector of contract arms during the Civil War. Before the war, Bailey worked at the Springfield Arsenal for a time, taking a small hiatus for a couple of years before returning to the Arsenal, where he worked until becoming a sub-inspector in 1862. He signed his oath as a Sub-inspector on October 20th, 1862, and began his work by being an inspector for various arms including, Smith carbines and Sharps carbines. He was in Hartford and Windsor Locks, Ct. for the majority of 63, and was the sub-inspector for William Muir from December of 63 until February of 64. Making this one of the later produced rifles with a production date of 1863. Other markings are the standard “US” stamped in the tang of the butt stock, two cartouche stampings in the left flat of the stock, one being a script “HJ” and the other is illegible. The most unique and rare marking on the rifle is “NOT TRANSFERABLE.” Forward of the rear sight, and behind the rear sight “PROPERTY OF STATE OF KANSAS”. While we have gone to great lengths to determine when this stamping was done, the best answer we could find is it was most likely done during the post war years prior to 1870. Update** Through new evidence discovered from the Kansas National Guard Museum Archives, it was discovered the marking was placed on any firearm purchased by the state, to try and stop soldiers from selling their weapons to either private citizens or Native Americans. This information came from a document that was dated 1863 and helps narrow down the mystery of the stamping on the barrel. Many of the western states were purchasing and precuring arms where ever they could in defense of Indian attacks on civilians. This is a desirable arm of both gun and civil war collectors, that is in an untouched condition with both war time and post war history, making it truly a unique piece of history.