Original item: Only One Available. A great Civil War Era Long Gun, the U.S. .54 Caliber Percussion Rifle was in 1841 way ahead of its time and showed stout service in the American/Mexican War. They were well-regarded, and still in arsenal as the tensions rose, culminating in the U.S. Civil War of 1861-1865. They were in a smaller caliber than desired, but with the thick barrel walls used in construction, this proved to not be an issue, as they could be re-bored to accept the now standard .58 Minié ball used by the Springfield model 1855 and 1861 muskets. This not only gave the rifles greater accuracy and stopping power, but also allowed the U.S. Military to standardize muzzle loading rifle ammunition. Some of these conversions were undertaken by Colt, while others were done at the National and State armories.

This rifle was definitely converted, and now has a .58 caliber barrel with three wide groove rifling consistent with a National Armory conversion, which looks has seen little to no use after conversion. The rear sight was replaced with a National Armory style ladder sight as seen on other converted examples we had had, and the right side of the barrel near the muzzle has had a bayonet lug added. The observed features are not consistent with the commonly encountered Colt conversion pattern, as they used a bolt-on bayonet lug, and would use the three leaf sight from the Colt revolving rifle in the rear.

While some examples were made by Government contractors, this lovely example was made in 1852 at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, located in Harpers Ferry, in what was then Virginia. After the outbreak of the U.S. Civil war, the North West corner of Virginia separated itself into West Virginia. At this same time, in April 1861, Union Soldiers set fire to the armory to keep it out of the hands of the advancing Virginia Confederate Militia. The residents of the area were mostly dependent on the armory, and moved quickly to douse the fires. However they were ill-repaid by the Confederate forces for their quick thinking, who proceeded to remove the machinery used in the armory to move it to Richmond, VA. They then set fire to the armory buildings, and returned later to destroy the rest of the rifle works and bridges in the era, effectively destroying any commercial value.

This example is in very good service used, showing fantastic patina of age on the exterior. The lock plate is marked (EAGLE) / U.S. in the center and has the correct armory marking on the lock plate tail:

HARPERS
FERRY
1852

We were not able to see any of the original proofs on the barrel, which are worn away, however there is still an 1852 date on the barrel tang. We also checked the stock, and there are no markings apparent.

The weapon is fully brass mounted including a brass patch box to the Butt, which was used for storage of patches and sometimes bullets, as well as a spare cap nipple cone, screwed into an inlet in the corner. This way if the nipple broke or was clogged, it could easily be replaced. It was also used to store tools such as the clearing worm and Springfield multi-tool. This patch box still retains the socket for the nipple cone, and it still has one, though it is oxidized and fouled from use. There are unfortunately no other items in the box.

The stock on this rifle has a lovely red brown color, and has a lightly varnished finish. It looks to have been refinished at some time, and we can see some wood filler repairs around the barrel tang. Both sling swivels are still present and move easily, while the ramrod has been replaced with one without a brass tip, though it does retain threads on the narrow end. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full. We checked the bore, and it is in excellent condition, mostly mirror bright with machining marks still visible. It shows little to no use since conversion, and there is just a bit of oxidation near the muzzle.

With its matching 1852 Harpers Ferry lock and barrel tang dates, National Armory style .58 caliber conversion features, added bayonet lug, ladder rear sight, and full brass furniture, this Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle has strong Civil War collector appeal. The exceptionally well preserved bore, which remains mostly mirror bright with visible machining marks and only minor oxidation near the muzzle, is particularly noteworthy and suggests very limited use following conversion. Although the stock appears to have been refinished and shows filler repairs near the barrel tang, the rifle retains an attractive service patina, functional lock, both sling swivels, and its patch box with a surviving spare nipple. It would display especially well in a U.S. martial arms, Harpers Ferry, Mexican American War, or Civil War long gun collection.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1852
Maker: Harpers Ferry Armory and Arsenal
Model: 1841 "Missisippi Rifle"
Caliber: .58 inches
Ammunition Type: Minié Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 33 inches
Overall Length: 48 5/8 inches
Action: Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

History of the M1841 "Mississippi Rifle"

The M1841 Mississippi rifle is a muzzle-loading percussion rifle used in the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. When Eli Whitney Blake took over management of the Harpers Ferry Armory in 1842, he set about tooling up under his new contract from the U.S. government for making the model 1841 percussion rifle. Machinery and fixtures for making the 1822 contract flintlock musket had to be retooled or replaced in order to produce the lock and barrel of the new model. Whitney, Jr. had the good sense to hire Thomas Warner as foreman, who, as master armorer at Springfield Armory, had just been making the same kind of major changes there. Thomas Warner had spearheaded the drive to equip the Springfield Armory with a set of new, more precise machines and a system of gauging that made it possible for the first time to achieve, in the late 1840s, the long-desired goal of interchangeability of parts in military small arms. Under his tutelage, Eli Whitney, Jr. equipped the Whitney Armory to do likewise.

The nickname "Mississippi" originated in the Mexican–American War when future Confederate president Jefferson Davis was appointed Colonel of the Mississippi Rifles, a volunteer regiment from the state of Mississippi. Colonel Davis sought to arm his regiment with the Model 1841 rifles. At this time, smoothbore muskets were still the primary infantry weapon and any unit with rifles was considered special and designated as such. Davis clashed with his commanding officer, General Winfield Scott, who said that the weapons were insufficiently tested and refused the request. Davis took his case to the President James Knox Polk who agreed with Davis that his men be armed with them. The incident was the start of a lifelong feud between Davis and Scott.

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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.