Original Item: Only One Available. The Springfield Model 1861 was a Minié-type rifled musket shoulder-arm used by the United States Army and Marine Corps during the American Civil War. Commonly referred to as the "Springfield" (after its original place of production, Springfield, Massachusetts), it was the most widely used U.S. Army weapon during the Civil War, favored for its range, accuracy, and reliability.

The barrel was 40 inches long, firing a .58 caliber Minié ball, and the total weight was approximately 9 pounds. The Springfield had an effective range of 200 to 300 yards, and used percussion caps to fire (rather than the flintlocks of the 18th century, the last U.S. flintlock musket was the Model 1840). Trained troops were able to fire at a rate of three aimed shots per minute while maintaining accuracy up to 500 yards, though firing distances in the war were often much shorter. The most notable difference between the Model 1861 and the earlier Model 1855 was the elimination of the Maynard tape primer for the Model 1861 (the Maynard primer, a self-feeding primer system, was unreliable in damp weather, and the priming mechanism was expensive and time-consuming to produce). Further, unlike the Model 1855, the Model 1861 was never produced in a two-banded "short rifle" configuration.

The Springfield was aimed using flip-up leaf sights. The sight had two leaves, one for 300 yards and the other for 500 yards, and with both leaves down, the sight was set for a range of 100 yards. By contrast, the British Pattern 1853 Enfield, favored by the Confederates, utilized a ladder-sight system with 100 yard increments, using steps from 100 to 400 yards and a flip up ladder for ranges beyond 500 yards. While the Enfield's sights did allow finer range settings, the Springfield's simple leaves were more rugged and were less expensive to produce. The Enfield's sights extended to 900 yards (and further, on later models), compared to the 500 yard maximum range of the Springfield's sights. Realistically, though, hitting anything beyond 600 yards with either weapon was mostly a matter of luck. While the sight designs were very different, the two weapons were otherwise very similar, and had very similar effective ranges.

The Springfield Rifle cost $20 each at the Springfield Armory, where they were officially made. Overwhelmed by the demand, the armory opened its weapons patterns up to twenty private contractors, including Providence Tool Co. of Providence, Rhode Island. The company, later known for production of Peabody-Martini Rifles, was one of the smaller contractors for the model 1861, only producing around 70,000 Rifled-Muskets, which makes them harder to find. As with many of the contractors, they did not update to the Model 1863, and produced the Model 1861 configuration throughout the war.

The Model 1861 was relatively scarce in the early years of the Civil War (many troops were still using Model 1842 smoothbored muskets and Model 1816/1822 muskets converted to percussion cap primers, both in .69 caliber). It is unlikely that any of these were available for use in the First Battle of Bull Run. However, over time, more and more regiments began receiving Model 1861 rifled muskets, though this upgrade appeared somewhat quicker in the Eastern Theater of Operations. Over 1,000,000 Model 1861 rifles were produced, with the Springfield Armory increasing its production during the war by contracting out to twenty other firms in the Union. The number of Model 1861 muskets produced by the Springfield Armory was 265,129 between January 1, 1861 and December 31, 1863. According to United States Muskets, Rifles and Carbines by Arcadi Gluckman Colonel Infantry, United States Army, published 1949.

After the war ended, many model 1861 and 1863 rifled muskets were modified to a breech loading actions with new metallic cartridges. With these modifications, the basic 1861 evolved into the Springfield Model 1873 which served the US until being replaced in the 1890s by modern breech loading rifles chambered for new smokeless powder rounds that were far superior to the Model 1873.

This example however was not converted, and is still in the original configuration, though the bore now measures out to about .63, either from wear or being smoothbored. It is dated 1865 on the lock plate tail, and also has an Eagle stamped into the lock in the middle of U. S., which is over PROVIDENCE TOOL CO. / PROVIDENCE R.I.. The markings on the lock are fully legible, and there is just a bit of rust peppering near the cap bolster. The barrel nocks form bears the standard proof marks (faint) of V / P / Eagle's Head, however the date on top has been eroded away by powder burn.

The walnut stock has a lovely worn look and color, and still has traces of the original inspection cartouches on the left side near the lock screws. There are the expected dents, chips, and wear from being in service for years. There is also a crack going back from the lock plate tail, as well as one between the breech are and lower lock screw. The metalwork overall has a lovely oxidized dark brown patina, just like we love to see on these old service rifles. Both sling swivels are present and move easily.

The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full. There is definitely powder burn on and around the cap nipple cone, which is frozen into the bolster and eroded. The cleanout on the bolster is also frozen, and the screw definitely somewhat deformed. This gun has a correct three leaf sight, however the 300 yard leaf is broken off at the joint. All three barrel bands still have their U markings, with a U.S. on the butt plate tang. The ramrod is the correct and original tulip type with an enlarged shank, and has intact threads on the end. The bore is quite dirty, and most likely is now smoothbore due to wear and/or being drilled out.

This is a great chance to pick up a Civil War Contract Rifled musket by a rare maker in great display condition! Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1865
Caliber: .58"
Cartridge Type: Minie Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 40 Inches
Overall Length: 56 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.