Original Item. Only One Available. This is a well-used and interesting U.S. Civil War Springfield Model 1863 .58 caliber rifled musket manufactured at Springfield Armory and dated 1864. It retains its original percussion muzzle-loading configuration and exhibits an unusual transitional combination of features, including screw-secured clamping barrel bands associated with the earlier Model 1863 configuration. The musket has clearly been cleaned and serviced during its long life and now incorporates several replacement or altered components.

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 Model 1863 represented the final development of the traditional muzzle-loading U.S. rifle musket manufactured at Springfield Armory during the Civil War. It evolved directly from the Model 1861 and incorporated a number of changes intended to simplify production and improve handling.

The first, or Type I, Model 1863 eliminated the traditional barrel-band springs in favor of oval screw-clamping bands and introduced changes to the hammer, bolster, ramrod, and other fittings. A revised Type II configuration followed during 1864 production and is sometimes referred to by collectors as the Model 1864. This later version restored the barrel-band springs and used solid oval bands.

This well-used Transitional Type 1863 however escaped conversion, and is presented for sale in the original Civil War era configuration with some replacement parts. It has screw-secured barrel bands which appear to have been refinished, and a three-leaf rear sight which is now broken. 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, but the main spring is a bit weak. The cap bolster Eagle marking is completely worn away from cleaning, and a clean out screw has been added to the rifle, which still unscrews. The nipple has been entirely replaced. 

The barrel still shows a very faint V / P / (Eagle's Head) proof on the left facet of the breech, however the date has been worn away. There is very heavy powder burn residue at and around the top tang, except for the nipple which was replaced. We also checked the left side of the stock, and there are unfortunately no longer any inspection cartouches visible at all. 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 we can still clearly see the three-groove rifling, with a few small spots of brightness, but there are also heavy areas of rust blooming. This definitely looks to have been a musket that saw a lot of use during the war, and was not properly cleaned afterwards.

The one piece walnut stock is in good service used condition with a great light red-brown walnut color. There is very heavy scuffing and some material loss in the stock on the backstrap and left side of the action, as well as along the ramrod channel. There is also scattered scuffing across the stock. Carved into the right side of the buttstock is the inscription:

ALB
G.A.W.
.. L. A.

ALB could denote use by Alabama, but this requires a bit more research to narrow anything down. 

This gun still has the original rear sight, which is the correct three leaf type for the Type I muskets, having a 100 yard standard notch, with 300 and 500 yard flip up leaves. However the leaves have broken off and the sight is not 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, with both sling swivels retained and functional. The ramrod is the tulip type without an enlarged shank, correct for the model 1863, however the threads at the end are very worn down, and the rod sticks out past the end of the barrel due to refuse in the channel.

The musket nevertheless retains the principal Springfield Armory markings and much of its original Civil War configuration.

Springfield Armory manufactured the Model 1863 as an improvement to the Model 1861 rifle musket, itself the standard Federal infantry shoulder arm of the Civil War. Both used the .58 caliber Minié-type projectile, a percussion ignition system, a 40-inch rifled barrel, and a full-length military stock with three barrel bands.

The evolution from the Model 1863 Type I to Type II occurred during 1864, resulting in surviving arms that can display features associated with different stages of production. This 1864-dated example, with its screw-clamping barrel bands, is particularly interesting in that context.

The Model 1863 family was also among the last generation of U.S. military muzzle-loading longarms. After the Civil War, large numbers of surviving percussion rifle muskets were altered to breech-loading systems as the U.S. military transitioned toward metallic-cartridge arms. This example escaped such a conversion and remains in percussion configuration.

Its heavily cleaned surfaces, replacement nipple, added bolster screw, damaged rear sight, worn ramrod threads, and unidentified buttstock carvings all form part of its long working history. At the same time, the 1864 Springfield lock markings, Federal barrel proofs, U-marked bands, US buttplate, three-groove rifling, and surviving Civil War configuration provide the principal identifying features of this transitional Model 1863 rifle musket.

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.