Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Civil War Springfield Model 1863 Type II .58 caliber rifle musket dated 1864, showing extensive post-service modification and repair. It retains the correct two leaf rear sight associated with the Type II pattern, but the stock was cut through at some point and later repaired, and the original solid barrel bands retained by springs were replaced with screw retained bands. A filled former band spring inlet remains visible ahead of the lower barrel band.

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 lock plate is dated:

1864

on the tail and retains a Federal eagle ahead of the markings:

U.S.
SPRINGFIELD

identifying manufacture at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, in Springfield, Massachusetts. The markings remain legible but show wear, and the lock plate has been cleaned in the past to remove oxidation. The hammer likewise shows remnants of old peppery oxidation and light pitting that were later cleaned.

The lock presently functions correctly at half cock and full cock, with a strong mainspring. The bolster eagle marking has been completely worn away, and the bolster was later modified with a cleanout screw, which is now seized.

The original breech markings on the barrel are no longer legible. There are also visible alterations in the breech area that may indicate repair or replacement work, though the exact nature and date of those modifications cannot be determined from the surviving condition.

The bore retains clearly visible three groove rifling, though there is old fouling and evidence of past oxidation throughout. These observations describe only the present condition of the bore and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the musket is safe to load or fire.

The rifle musket has been repeatedly cleaned and serviced over its long life, leaving the metalwork with an even aged matte patina and generally softened exterior markings. The U stamps on the barrel bands are no longer visible, and the U.S. marking on the butt plate tang has also been worn away. The ramrod is a fabricated replacement.

The walnut stock shows extensive long service and repair. In addition to the full transverse stock cut and later rejoining, there is cracking on the left side near the lower lock screw and repaired cracking on the left side of the barrel tang. A large section of wood is missing along the left side of the barrel at the wood line, and another area of loss is present immediately behind the middle barrel band near the repaired stock joint. No inspection cartouches remain legible on the left side of the stock.

Both sling swivels remain present. An original period sling is installed and remains in very good condition, and it can still be detached without damaging the leather.

With its 1864 dated Springfield lock, correct Model 1863 Type II rear sight, surviving three groove bore, original sling, and extensive evidence of modification and long service, this is a compelling Civil War era rifle musket with a clearly visible postwar history. The cut and repaired stock, replacement screw retained bands, filled band spring inlet, breech modifications, seized bolster cleanout screw, fabricated ramrod, worn markings, stock cracking, missing wood, and bore fouling are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Springfield Armory, Model 1863 Type II, Civil War rifle musket, or advanced U.S. martial arms collection.

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

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.

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.