Info needed for 1863 Colt Contract Musket

[ms3635v]

While checking one of my Colt muskets I noted the initials F.E.M. on the barrel beneath the VP and eagle stamping. Does anyone know who the inspector F.E.M. is? Any help would certainly appreciated. See photos.

608 610609

[Old Hickory]

I looked in my quick source and found nothing, I'll try Fuller when I have time

[ms3635v]

Old Hickory, I checked Fuller's two books as well as the Whisker, Hartzler and Yancey books. No luck so far. I tried a Google search and had no success.

[Old Hickory]

Dog-Gone! My Standard catalog of Civil War Firearms has a section in the back with a bunch of innitials and who they were, it's not in there. If you have a Dixie Gun Works catalog, they have some of that information in the back. I'll check my Colt book.

[SgtSki]

According to COLT FIREARMS 1836 -1930 by James E. Serven page 357
"Army officers Whiteley, Balch, Dyer, Oellender, Hagner, Crispin and Thorton inspected te muskets for the Government. Col. Hagner and Col. Thorton were the most active, inspecting the majority of rifles produced in 1863 and 1864." Maybe its not a Colt barrel?

[Muley Gil]

FEM is NOT listed in the Dixie Gun Works catalog.

[mgmurray]

I have an original 1863 Amoskeag 3 band musket that is marked with "STEEL" and then "FEM". I'm guessing that the gun is all original but a lot of parts swaping has gone on since the Civil War... Hopes this helps!

Mike Murray
RVM 005 TW

[ms3635v]

Thanks for all the responses. The musket must be a mix of parts.

[John Holland]

It may not be a Colt barrel, but it still has to be an 1861 Special Model barrel (LG&Y or Amoskeag) because nothing else will fit the lock plate cut for the bolster, which is unique for the 1861 Special Model.

JDH

[mike owsiak]

American wrought iron was too full of slag to be rolled into barrels. They used "John Marshall" iron imported from England, and Amoskeag rolled the barrels...........F.E.M. is not mentioned he still remains a mystery...............MIKE O.