Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive and well preserved U.S. Civil War Special Model 1861 .58 caliber rifled musket manufactured by Lamson, Goodnow & Yale of Windsor, Vermont. One of only three contractors associated with production of the Special Model 1861, the firm produced a distinctive variation incorporating several improvements influenced by British Pattern 1853 Enfield machinery and tooling. This example retains its correct contractor marked lock, clearly dated barrel, crisp boxed “GKJ” inspection cartouche, original three leaf rear sight, tulip shaped ramrod, both sling swivels, and an excellent one piece walnut stock.

The Springfield Model 1861 was the principal rifled musket used by the United States Army during the Civil War and also saw service with the United States Marine Corps. Chambered for the .58 caliber Minié ball, it combined improved range and accuracy with the rugged percussion ignition system required for military service. The standard barrel measured 40 inches, and the complete arm weighed approximately nine pounds. Trained soldiers could fire approximately three aimed rounds per minute, although actual battlefield engagement distances were often far shorter than the theoretical effective range of the weapon.

The Model 1861 replaced the Maynard tape primer system used on the earlier Model 1855. Although innovative, the Maynard system was unreliable in damp conditions and added unnecessary complexity and expense. The Model 1861 returned to the conventional percussion cap and used a simple, durable rear sight with settings for 100, 300, and 500 yards. Unlike the Model 1855, the Model 1861 was not produced in a two band short rifle configuration.

Demand for rifled muskets quickly exceeded the production capacity of Springfield Armory. The federal government therefore opened the design to private manufacturers, including Lamson, Goodnow & Yale of Windsor, Vermont. The company ultimately produced approximately 50,020 arms for the United States during the Civil War.

Lamson, Goodnow & Yale was one of only three firms to manufacture the Special Model 1861, the others being Colt and Amoskeag. The design originated with Samuel Colt, who had acquired machinery formerly used by Robbins & Lawrence to manufacture British Pattern 1853 Enfield rifles. This tooling influenced several details of the Special Model, including the rounded screw retained barrel bands, revised hammer, and redesigned bolster. Some of these improvements were later adopted by the Ordnance Department for the Model 1863 rifled musket.

The lock plate tail is dated: 1864

Beneath the percussion cone bolster, the lock is marked:

U.S.
L. G.-& Y.
WINDSOR VT

This is the correct later pattern marking used by Lamson, Goodnow & Yale. Earlier locks by the company placed the Federal Eagle on the face of the lock plate, while later production moved the eagle to the percussion cone bolster in a configuration similar to that used by Colt and Springfield Armory. Most of the original Federal Eagle stamping remains visible above the maker marking.

The lock plate is in very good condition with light wear and an attractive, lightly stained patina. There is a small amount of past peppering and scattered staining, but no major oxidation. The hammer is in similar condition. The percussion nipple cone remains very good, showing only minor wear, while the surrounding bolster area exhibits limited oxidation from powder and primer residue.

The top of the breech is clearly dated: 1863

The barrel also retains the contractor proofs:

L. G. & Y.
WINDSOR VT.

The differing 1863 barrel and 1864 lock dates are readily visible. Both components are correct period Lamson, Goodnow & Yale parts, although the arm does not have matching production dates.

The left side of the stock below the lower lock screw retains a crisp boxed inspection cartouche: GKJ

This is the acceptance stamp of inspector G.K. Jacobs, whose markings are known on Model 1861 type muskets manufactured by both Lamson, Goodnow & Yale and Amoskeag. The clarity of the cartouche is an especially desirable feature, as these stock markings are frequently worn, faint, or lost entirely on service used Civil War arms.

The one piece walnut stock remains in excellent condition and shows only minor handling wear. The edges of the ramrod channel are still notably crisp, an area often rounded or damaged through prolonged service and cleaning. There are the expected scattered scratches and small dings, but no evidence of major damage, structural repairs, or refinishing.

All three barrel bands retain their stamped U markings. The buttplate tang is still marked:

U.S.

The original tulip shaped ramrod remains present and is in very good condition, with intact threads at the narrow end. Both sling swivels are also present and move freely.

The metalwork was originally finished bright and now displays scattered age related staining. Some areas appear to have been cleaned in the past to remove dirt, oxidation, and heavier discoloration. Light peppering remains visible in places and has been left intact rather than aggressively removed.

The lock mechanism functions correctly, holding securely at half cock and releasing properly from full cock. The original 100, 300, and 500 yard rear sight remains intact. It is currently not movable by hand, and we did not attempt to force it.

The bore retains its original three broad rifling grooves, which remain readily visible. There is oxidation and fouling along the interior, with some areas remaining bright while others appear duller due to the accumulated residue. The rifling is still well defined despite the bore condition.

The Model 1861 was relatively scarce during the opening period of the Civil War, when many Union units continued to carry Model 1842 smoothbore muskets and older Model 1816 and Model 1822 arms converted from flintlock to percussion. As production increased, the .58 caliber rifled musket became progressively more common, particularly among formations serving in the Eastern Theater. More than one million Model 1861 type rifled muskets were eventually produced by Springfield Armory and its contractors.

After the war, many Model 1861 and Model 1863 rifled muskets were altered into breech loading arms for metallic cartridges. This example escaped those later conversions and remains in its original muzzle loading percussion configuration, preserving the form in which it would have served during the Civil War.

With its scarce Special Model 1861 configuration, clearly marked Lamson, Goodnow & Yale lock and barrel, crisp boxed GKJ stock cartouche, excellent walnut stock, intact tulip ramrod, complete sling swivels, original rear sight, and fully functional lock, this is a particularly appealing contractor produced Civil War rifled musket. The honest staining, light peppering, stationary rear sight, fouled bore, and differing 1863 and 1864 dates are all clearly disclosed, while the strong surviving markings and well preserved stock give the arm excellent display value for a Civil War, Vermont firearms, U.S. martial arms, or Special Model 1861 collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1863 and 1864
Maker: Lamson, Goodnow & Yale
Model: Special Model 1861 Rifle Musket
Caliber: .58"
Cartridge Type: Minié Ball and Powder with Percussion cap
Barrel Length: 40 Inches
Overall Length: 56 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.

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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.