Bridesburg 1862 Needham Conversion .58 cal Single Shot Rifle Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,525.00
LSB#: LSB260622FM262
Make: Alfred Jenks & Son, Bridesburg; Needham Conversion
Model: Needham Cartridge Conversion
Serial Number: NSNV
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1868-1869
Caliber: .58 Centerfire
Action Type: Single shot, side gate, breechloading, centerfire rifle, cartridge conversion.
Barrel Length: 36″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a barley corn blade soldered to the barrel. The rear sight is a 3 leaf folding V notch screwed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one piece smooth walnut, capped forend, three barrel bands, straight grip, straight comb, and smooth iron buttplate. The LOP is 13 1/2″ from trigger to buttplate. This stock has been lightly sanded and refinished. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There is some light chipping along some edges. There is a set of initials carved into the stock. There are no structural cracks. Overall this stock is in Good to Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Bright and Case color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. The rifling is well defined. There is very minor erosion and pitting scattered throughout. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains virtually none of its original finish. The barrel has been cleaned but shows light patina. There are light scratches and corrosion stains throughout. The screw heads are lightly tooled but serviceable. The markings are legible. Overall this rifle is in Good to Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: This rifle is in functional condition. The hammer holds full and half cock. The firing pin is free. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Bridesburg Needham Conversion has a particularly fascinating connection to the Fenian Brotherhood, the Irish-American nationalist organization that sought to pressure Great Britain into granting Irish independence by launching armed raids into British North America. Many Fenians were veterans of the American Civil War, and after their 1866 raids they sought a more modern breechloading arm for another invasion attempt. Beginning in 1868, the Fenians established the Pioneer Arms Works in Trenton, New Jersey, where approximately 5,020 surplus Civil War rifle-muskets were converted to the Needham breechloading system. Many of these were Model 1861/1862 contract muskets originally manufactured by Alfred Jenks & Son at Bridesburg. Chambered for a .58-caliber centerfire cartridge, the Needham conversions were issued to Fenian forces during the 1870 invasion of Canada and saw use at the Battle of Eccles Hill. Although this individual rifle has no stated provenance tying it directly to a particular Fenian soldier or engagement, the Bridesburg Needham conversion is intrinsically associated with that remarkable episode of Irish, American, and Canadian history.
This example remains in Good to Very Good antique condition and retains the characteristic 36″ barrel, three-band walnut stock, side-opening Needham breech mechanism, and .58 centerfire chambering. Virtually none of the original metal finish remains, with the cleaned barrel showing light patina along with scattered scratches and corrosion staining. The lightly refinished walnut stock shows scratches, compression dents, minor edge chipping, and carved initials but remains structurally sound. The mostly bright bore retains well-defined rifling with only very minor erosion and scattered pitting and rates 8/10. The hammer holds properly at full and half cock, the firing pin is free, and the action functions correctly. As a surviving Bridesburg rifle-musket converted to the distinctive Needham system, this is an especially interesting post-Civil War martial arm with a strong historical association to the Fenian Brotherhood and its 1870 campaign against British Canada. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! MF