Item:
ONJR25RJAN139

Original U.S. Civil War Springfield Model 1861 Rifled Musket Shortened to Artillery Length - Dated 1862

Item Description

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, however this example was produced at Springfield Arsenal itself.

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 lovely Model 1861 thankfully escaped conversion, and is still mostly in the original Civil War era configuration. It was however at some point shortened by 7 inches, and now only has two barrel bands instead of the original three. These short muskets were intended for use by pioneer and artillery troops, where a shorter weapon was much easier to work with. Not designed to fit a bayonet, there is no front sight, however it does have a three leaf rear sight.

The musket is really in great shape, looking to have seen only light use during the war. It still retains the original bright finish throughout the metalwork, showing just a bit of wear and oxidation from cleaning. It is dated 1862 on the lock plate tail, and also has a clear Federal Eagle stamped into the lock to the left of U.S. / SPRINGFIELD, indicating production at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, in Springfield, Massachusetts. There has been only minor powder burn and cleaning around the breech area, and the original 1862 barrel date is still crisp. The left facet still bears the correct V / P / Eagle's Head proofs, and the rear sight is fully intact and functional.

The left side of the stock by the wrist still has TWO ordnance inspection cartouches. The upper example is a faint "boxed" HTH cartouches, which is a known inspector of Civil War arms that has unfortunately not been identified. Lower to the right is a clear ESA oval cartouche, for Erskine. S. Allin, Master Armorer at Springfield Armory from 1853 until his death in 1879, as well as the designer of the trapdoor system. In very nice condition this is a rare U.S. Military Rifle that led to the the legendary Model of 1873. Really some fantastic markings on this example!

The one piece walnut stock has a beautiful red brown color that only old and aged oiled walnut achieves. it shows wear from service, with the expected dings and dents, but no major damage..

The bore still shows the original three groove rifling clearly, with just a bit of fouling and oxidation near the muzzle area in the grooves. There is only light powder burn around the cap bolster, and the cap nipple cone is in great shape. The cap bolster cleanout screw still has a very good slot, and can still be easily removed from the bolster. The lock functions, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full. Both barrel bands still have their U markings, with a U.S. on the butt plate tang. The ramrod looks to be a period fabricated replacement, and both sling swivels are still present and move, though the lower one is stiff.

This is a great chance to pick up a great lightly example of a Civil War Rifled Musket, made at Springfield Arsenal itself and later cut down for artillery use. Ready to research display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1862
Caliber: .58"
Cartridge Type: Minié Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 33 Inches
Overall Length: 48 3/4 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

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