Jonathan S. Higgins, 28 year old resident of Worthington, MA & a mechanic by trade, enlisted on 9/26/62 as a Private. Mustered into Co. K, 46th Massachusetts infantry on 10/22/62. Transferred to Co. F on 10/29/62. Died of Bright’s Disease 8/15/69. His military records indicate that he was present throughout his term of service, but his pension records state that he was placed in the regimental hospital in the Spring of 1863, due to kidney disease which developed following exposure & the hardship of long marches. Said to have been in the hospital at Newbern, NC in May 1863 following the Gum Swamp March.

The 46th Massachusetts Infantry was a 9 month regiment organized at Camp Banks, Springfield. Proceeded to Newbern, reaching that destination on 11/15/62. Active during the Goldsboro expedition, including the battles of Kinston, Whitehall & Goldsboro. During March 1863, took part in the defense of Newbern, & shortly thereafter the regt. was sent to Plymouth, with Co. F on detached duty guarding the railroad station at Newport Barracks. May 1863 took part in an expedition to Gum Swamp, returning to Newbern the following day. The regt. departed for home in June 1863, & volunteered for service with the Army of the Potomac during Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania, doing patrol and guard duty in the Baltimore area, then was stationed near Harper’s Ferry. Joined the 1st Corps at Funkstown, MD. Following Lee’s retreat, the regiment was ordered to Massachusetts, where it was mustered out of service.

This US Model 1841 Percussion Rifle manufactured by Robbins & Lawrence is identified by markings stamped into the brass buttplate tang: “CO. F / MASS 46 / 46”. Lightly etched on the inside at the brass patchbox is, “J. S. Higgins”.

Produced by the Robbins & Lawrence firm located in Windsor, VT. Often referred to as the “Mississippi” Rifle, this shoulder arm was one of 10,000 produced from 1845 to 1850.

Single shot, muzzleloader percussion rifled barrel features the original .54 caliber barrel. Barrel proofs, “U.S. / L.B.C. / P”; tang dated 1850. Lockplate features the company’s typical markings and matching date. Barrel sans the adjustable long leaf range rear sight.

Black walnut stock fitted with brass furniture and a brass patchbox. All brass has acquired a rich, mellow bronze patina. Stock appears to have been varnished many years ago. Cheek plate has a single cartouche. Mechanics perfect. Bore has strong rifling with semi-bright metal. Outside metal has light peppering to barrel, semi-gray. Lockplate and hammer have nice, dark olive patina.

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.