Item:
ONJR25JAPC003

Original U.S. Civil War Springfield Model 1863 Type II Percussion Rifled Musket in Excellent Condition - Dated 1863 and 1864

Item Description

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 Type II Model 1863 however escaped conversion, and is presented for sale in the original percussion configuration. Not only that, it is in excellent condition, with a fantastic bore, something we very rarely see! The rifled musket is dated 1863 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. The eagle stamping on the cap bolster is still mostly crisp, showing just a bit of wear.

The barrel nocks form still shows the correct V / P / Eeagle's Head proof marks, and the top of the barrel has a faint 1864 date, so this rifle was made probably during the transition from Type I to Type II at the beginning of 1864. We checked the stock, and we can still make out a very faint ESA oval cartouche at the rear edge of the lock facet, for Erskine. S. Allin, the master Armorer at Springfield Armory from 1853 until his death in 1879, as well as the designer of the trapdoor system. We tried to photograph this, but the flash washes it out, but it is definitely there.

The metalwork still retains the original bright steel finish, with some evidence of cleaning, particularly around the cap nipple cone bolster, which would have been exposed to corrosive primer and powder. The front sight on the barrel is present, and the rear sight is the correct two leaf type of the Type II, which is fully functional. We checked the lock, and it still is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full. The bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with the original three groove rifling still crisp. It does not look to have seen much use at all during the war, making this one of the best we have sever seen.

The stock is in excellent condition, showing the fantastic deep red-brown color of aged and oiled walnut. The grain patterns are fantastic, and it is really a beautiful stock. There is of course, a bit of wear from service in the form of small chips and dents, as well as a missing chunk on the bottom of the butt stock. There is no major structural damage or signs of abuse. The rifle retains all three of the correct Type II spring retained bands, all of which are still U marked, and both sling swivels are present and in great shape. The butt-plate is stamped U.S. as per regulation, and the original tulip-head ramrod with an enlarged shank is present as well, with intact threads on the end.

An excellent un-altered example of a Model 1863 Type II Springfield Rifled Musket with a great bore, ready to add to your collection and display!

Specifications (Musket):-

Year of Manufacture: 1863 & 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

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