Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Model 1841 Mississippi percussion rifle manufactured by E. Remington & Sons of Herkimer, New York, retaining its original .54 caliber bore with the correct seven groove rifling. The lock is dated 1851, while the barrel tang retains a partial 1849 date. Unlike the many Model 1841 rifles later altered to .58 caliber, this example remains in its original bore size, with the principal visible alteration being the addition of a saber bayonet lug to the right side of the barrel.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The U.S. Model 1841 rifle was originally adopted in .54 caliber and saw important service during the Mexican-American War before remaining in government inventories into the Civil War period. As .58 caliber became standard with later U.S. rifle muskets, many Model 1841 rifles were subsequently rebored or otherwise altered. This example retains an approximately .54 caliber bore, measuring roughly .55" to .56" by micrometer, with the rifling showing greater wear toward the muzzle.

The barrel retains seven groove rifling, consistent with the original .54 caliber configuration. No evidence of a later .58 caliber rebore was observed. A saber bayonet lug has been added to the right side of the barrel, representing the primary visible modification from its original configuration.

The rifle was manufactured by E. Remington & Sons of Herkimer, New York, one of the private contractors that produced the Model 1841 alongside other firms such as Robbins & Lawrence, Tryon, and Eli Whitney. The lock plate retains the maker marking:

REMINGTON'S
HERKIMER
N. Y.

The lock plate tail is dated:

1851

There is correctly no Federal eagle or U.S. marking on the lock plate. The brass buttplate tang retains a comparatively clear:

U.S.

The barrel tang retains a partial date:

[18]49

Additional barrel markings include:

STEEL

on the left barrel facet, together with:

U.S / J.H / P

on the round portion of the barrel. The italicized J.H. inspection mark has been attributed to ordnance sub-inspector Joseph Hannis and has been observed on other Remington Model 1841 rifles. The left side of the stock around the lock screw area is worn, and no inspection cartouches remain clearly visible there.

The rifle is fully brass mounted and retains its brass patch box in the buttstock. The patch box was intended to store small accessories and maintenance items, including spare percussion nipple cones and tools. The interior still retains the socket intended for a spare nipple, but the nipple itself is no longer present and no tools are included.

The iron and steel components show light old oxidation and scattered peppering, with heavier powder residue corrosion around the breech area. The barrel has been cleaned in the past and is now partly bright. No major deep rust pitting was observed. The brass furniture remains in very good condition and has developed a lightly oxidized patina without evidence of aggressive polishing.

The American black walnut stock has an attractive dark red brown color with what appears to be an old oil and wax finish that continues to show the grain well. It carries the expected dents, dings, gouges, staining, and other handling wear associated with long service. There are several hairline cracks around the lock plate, together with another crack extending from the lower lock screw toward the breech. This is an area commonly subjected to stress on percussion long arms. There is a crack running from the upper lock screw to the wood line as well.

Both sling swivels remain present and move easily. A trumpet shaped ramrod is fitted beneath the barrel and retains intact threads at the end. It appears to be a period replacement, as it lacks the brass head associated with the original Model 1841 ramrod.

The lock currently holds at both half cock and full cock, and the trigger releases the hammer from full cock. The bore is in very good condition for its age and use. It remains partly bright with clearly visible seven groove rifling. There is normal wear, particularly toward the muzzle, but no major bore pitting or severe oxidation was observed.

With its desirable E. Remington & Sons Herkimer manufacture, original .54 caliber seven groove bore, 1851 dated lock, partial 1849 barrel date, Joseph Hannis attributed inspection marking, brass furniture, patch box, and surviving saber bayonet lug alteration, this is a particularly appealing Model 1841 Mississippi rifle. The breech oxidation, past cleaning, stock cracks, worn cartouche area, replacement ramrod, missing patch box accessories, and added bayonet lug are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a U.S. Model 1841 rifle, Mexican-American War, Civil War small arms, Remington contract firearm, or advanced American military arms collection.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1849 and 1851
Maker: E. Remington & Sons
Model: 1841 "Mississippi Rifle"
Caliber: .54 inches
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 33 inches
Overall Length: 48 3/4 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.

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.

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.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

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.