Original Item: Only One Available. The Springfield Model 1863 rifled musket is a .58 caliber rifled musket produced by the Springfield Armory between 1863 and 1865. The Model 1863 was a minor improvement over the Springfield Model 1861. As such, it is sometimes classified as just a variant of the Model 1861. The Model 1861, with all of its variants, was the most commonly used longarm in the American Civil War, with over 700,000 manufactured. The Model 1863 also has the distinction of being the last muzzle-loading longarm produced by the Springfield Armory.

The Model 1863 was produced in two variants. The Type I eliminated the band springs and replaced the flat barrel bands with oval clamping bands. It also featured a new ramrod, a case-hardened lock, a new hammer, and a redesigned bolster (percussion chamber). Several of these modifications were based upon Colt's contract model 1861, known as the "Colt special". 273,265 Type I variants were manufactured in 1863.

The Type II is sometimes referred to as the Model 1864, but is more commonly referred to as just a variant of the Model 1863. This version re-introduced band springs, replaced the clamping bands with solid oval bands, and replaced the three leaf rear sight with single leaf sight. A total of 255,040 of these were manufactured from 1864 to 1865.

By the end of the Civil War, muzzle-loading rifles and muskets were considered obsolete. In the years following the Civil War, many Model 1863 muskets were converted into breech-loading "Trapdoor Springfields". The breech-loading weapons increased the rate of fire from 3 to 4 rounds per minute to 8 to 10 rounds per minute. The Model 1863 could be converted to breech-loading for about $5, at a time when a new rifle would cost about $20. The conversion of Model 1863 rifles therefore represented a significant cost savings to the U.S. military.

This very nice Transitional Type 1863 however escaped conversion, and is presented for sale in the original Civil War era configuration. It has the band springs and solid bands of a type II, however it has the three leaf rear sight of a Type I, which is why we are calling it transitional. It is dated 1864 on the lock plate tail, and also has an 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. The markings are still easily legible, though they are a bit worn, and the lock plate overall shows signs of cleaning to remove past oxidation. It is still fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, and the main spring is strong. The cap bolster Eagle marking is mostly worn away from cleaning, and there is definitely powder burn around the cap bolster, indicating that it did see a good amount of use while in service. The nipple cone however shows little wear, so it was probably replaced during service.

The barrel stills shows faint V over (Eagle's Head) proofs on the left facet of the breech, along with an 1863 date on the top of the barrel. We also checked the left side of the stock, and to the lower right is a faint 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. The rifle overall looks to have been cleaned and serviced over the years, which has worn down the exterior surface overall. We checked the bore, and it is still in very good condition, showing the three groove rifling clearly, with just a bit of past fouling and oxidation.

The one piece walnut stock is in lovely condition with a great light red-brown walnut color. It looks to have been reconditioned at some point, and has a lovely light oil finish now. It does not show any major denting or other wear, though there is some staining cracking around the lock screws and also around the barrel tang, very common places to see these when they have been exposed to moisture. There is also some staining and cracking next to the butt plate for the same reason. This gun still has the original rear sight, which is the three leaf type for the Type I muskets, having a 100 yard standard notch, with 300 and 500 yard flip up leaves, all of which are present and functional. The "barleycorn" front sight is in good shape, still firmly attached to the barrel. All barrel bands are U stamped, and the butt plate tang is correctly US stamped. The hardware is relatively solid, however both sling swivels were removed at some point. The ramrod is the tulip type without an enlarged shank, correct for the model 1863, and the threads at the end still intact.

A very nice example, offered in lovely condition and still in the original percussion configuration. This would find a welcome home in any U.S. Civil War collection. Ready for display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1864
Caliber: .58"
Cartridge Type: Minié Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 40 Inches
Overall Length: 56 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

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.