Providence Tool Co. Contract Rifle Muskets
.
Providence Tool Co. of Providence, R..I, contracted with the War Dept. to manufacture regulation model 1861 rifle muskets in 1861.
All muskets delivered were of the model 1861 type. Lockplates were usually marked in front of the hammer with an eagle between the letters US and below
PROVIDENCE TOOL CO, over PROVIDENCE, R.I. in two lines. The date appears behind the hammer. Another variation of markings may be those muskets
marked simply PROVIDENCE and dated 1862. This variation may comprise the earliest arms delivered but its not clear if this is so since virtually the arms delivered
are dated 1863 or 1864. The firm was in existence until it was unable to secure arms contracts during World War I and ceased operations in 1917.
| Date of Contract |
No. Contracted |
Price of Contract |
No. Delivered |
| July 13,1861 |
25,000 |
$20.00 |
25,000 |
| Nov 26,1861 |
25,000 |
$20.00 |
13,000 |
| May 1,1864 |
32,000 |
$18.00 |
32,000 |
| Providence Tool Lockplate Markings |
|