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 condition Type I 1863 however escaped conversion, and is presented for sale in the original Civil War era configuration. It is dated 1863 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 fully legible, and the lock plate shows only light cleaning from service and afterwards. It is still fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, though the fully cocked position is quite far back, so a hard pull is required. Despite showing a good amount of powder burn on the top, the side of the cap nipple cone bolster still bears a clear Eagle marking, which are often totally worn away. The barrel stills shows clear V / P / (Eagle's Head) proofs on the left facet of the breech, with a faint 1863 date on the top facet. It does look like the metalwork on the rifle may have been cleaned and blued at some point, and now shows a mottled blue brown patina overall.

The left side of the stock by the wrist still has ordnance inspection cartouches present, though the upper cartouche was worn away from cleaning. Lower to the right is a mostly 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. Really some great markings on this example! The one piece walnut stock is in very good condition, showing wear from service including some dents, scratches, and dings, but no major damage or evidence of a past repairs. It has a lovely lightly oiled finish and shows a great red brown color to the American Black walnut. The bevels of the stock are a bit rounded, so it does show signs of cleaning and probably a tasteful refinish at some point during its service life.

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, which are easily movable. The "barleycorn" front sight is in great shape, still firmly attached to the barrel. The bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with the original three groove rifling still crisp. There is just a bit of past fouling and oxidation in the grooves, confirming that it saw only light use. All barrel bands are U stamped, and the butt plate tang is correctly US stamped. Both sling swivels are still present and move, and the hardware is solid. The ramrod is the tulip type without an enlarged shank, correct for the model 1863, and threads at the end are still present, though the very end has been converted to a clearing worm.

A lovely example of a Civil War Springfield Rifled Musket with a great bore, 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: 1863
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.