Original Item: One of a Kind. This is an exceptional and highly desirable original Confederate C.S. Richmond Rifle, dated 1863, representing one of the most important Southern-produced firearms of the American Civil War.

Unlike many Confederate weapons that were imported, altered, or assembled from limited resources, the Richmond Rifle represents one of the Confederacy’s most successful attempts at domestic arms production. Manufactured in Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederacy, these rifles have become some of the most sought-after Confederate long arms among collectors.

The story of the Richmond Rifle begins in 1861 with one of the most important events of the early Civil War: the capture of the United States Armory at Harpers Ferry. At the outbreak of hostilities, the Confederacy urgently needed both finished weapons and the ability to manufacture additional arms. Although Southern leaders hoped to acquire machinery and weapons from overseas, the Union blockade quickly made large-scale importation increasingly difficult.

The capture of Harpers Ferry provided the Confederacy with a critical opportunity. Large quantities of completed Model 1855 rifle muskets, unfinished components, and most importantly, the machinery required to manufacture them were moved south. Using this captured equipment, the Confederacy established production at the Richmond Armory.

The resulting C.S. Richmond Rifle was based heavily on the U.S. Model 1855 Rifle Musket but adapted for Confederate production. These .58 caliber rifled arms became some of the finest and most important weapons manufactured by the South during the war.

Early Richmond production utilized the distinctive “high hump” lock plates originally designed for the Model 1855 Maynard tape primer system. The first examples were marked only “RICHMOND, VA” before the facility was fully organized under Confederate control. Later examples added the famous marking.:

C.S.
RICHMOND, VA

Although retaining the high hump profile saved manufacturing time, soldiers found the raised lock design interfered with quickly placing percussion caps onto the nipple during use. The Richmond Armory responded by modifying production.

The first improvement involved manually filing down existing high hump plates, creating the Type 3 “low hump” variation. By late 1862, the original dies were altered under the direction of William Wentzel, allowing newly manufactured locks to be produced directly in the improved low hump configuration. This resulted in the final Type 4 lock plate design.

This rifle features the desirable Type 4 Low Hump lock plate, the correct configuration for 1863 Richmond production. Unlike altered earlier examples, this lock was originally manufactured in the low hump form and was not simply ground down from an earlier plate.

The lock plate is clearly marked:

C.S.
RICHMOND, VA

with the lock plate tail dated:

1863

The lock was removed and inspected internally, confirming correct construction characteristics. The markings and font style match known original Richmond examples.

The barrel measures the correct 40 inches in length and retains visible proof markings on the left breech flat:

V / P / Eagle's Head

This example also displays several features associated with the use of captured Harpers Ferry components and Confederate manufacturing practices, including iron barrel bands marked with “U” and the brass butt plate. While earlier Richmond rifles used iron butt plates, brass examples became standard by 1863.

The original tulip head iron ramrod with enlarged shank remains present beneath the barrel and is in very good condition, though the threaded end is broken. This is the Model 1855 style, most likely swapped in during the war when the original was lost.

Mechanically, the rifle remains fully functional. The lock holds properly at half cock and fires correctly from full cock.

The rifle also retains the correct three-leaf flip-up rear sight, which remains operational. The bore shows clear three-groove rifling with evidence of use, including some fouling and oxidation in the grooves. There is noticeable powder burn around the percussion bolster, showing that this rifle saw genuine service. The percussion nipple appears to be an old replacement, and the bolster cleanout screw is currently seized with wear to the slot.

The metal surfaces display a wonderful matured polished patina with areas of past oxidation, peppering, and light pitting that have since been cleaned. It has exactly the type of honest appearance expected from a Confederate rifle that saw wartime use and continued survival for more than 160 years.

The walnut stock remains in very nice condition with a beautiful aged reddish-brown color. There is even attractive natural curl visible in areas of the butt stock, giving the rifle additional visual appeal. The only noted repair is located in front of the trigger guard, where it appears the ramrod caused a section of wood loss that was later reglued and stabilized with filler. Both sling swivels remain present and move freely.

One of the most intriguing features of this rifle is the personalization on the stock. The left side has the initials:

R R S

carved into the wood.

There are also additional lightly scratched letters that appear possibly to read “M A L L” or a similar combination, though only the “M A” portion can be confidently identified. These markings provide an excellent research opportunity and may relate to the soldier who carried this rifle.

Adding even more character, the left side of the butt stock contains an inset piece made from the brass keeper of a Civil War Federal waist belt. The piece was flattened, fitted into the stock, and secured with six small nails. The reason for this period modification is unknown, but it creates a fascinating and unique feature that may have held personal significance to the original owner.

Overall, this is a tremendous example of one of the most desirable Confederate-produced firearms of the Civil War. With its 1863 dated C.S. Richmond Type 4 Low Hump lock, correct features, visible service use, carved initials, and unique soldier modifications, it represents exactly the type of historic survivor sought after by advanced collectors.

An outstanding centerpiece for any Confederate, Civil War, or American military arms collection. Ready for further research and display.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1863
Caliber: .58 Caliber
Ammunition Type: Minié Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 40 Inches
Overall Length: 56 Inches
Action Type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Single Shot Muzzle Loader

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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

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Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.