Product Description
1863 Date CIVIL WAR Antique NORWICH ARMS U.S. M1861 Percussion Rifle-MUSKET
James D. Mowry U.S. Model 1861 “EVERYMAN’S RIFLE”
Here we present an antique U.S. Model 1861 Rifle-Musket, made on contract by James D. Mowry of Norwich Arms Co. of Norwich, Connecticut circa 1863. Only about 22,000 of these rifles came out of this contract, quite a small number when compared to the total. The Model 1861 is representative of the “everyman’s” rifle during the American Civil War.
About 1.5 million rifle-muskets were made in the U.S., over 800,000 of which were made by the Springfield Armory. This was the last hurrah of the rifle-musket as arms development and tactics rapidly advanced during the short period of the American Civil War. Nevertheless, the 1861 represented new technology as it was made for use with the Minié ball, a hollow based, conical projectile that was small enough to quickly push down the muzzle of a rifled barrel and expanded to create a good gas seal unlike a solid, round ball.
Almost immediately after the war, the U.S. military switched from the old muzzle loading type weapons to the newer breech loading rifles, bringing an end to the musket as a standard frontline firearm in American history.
The overall condition is fair. Heavy texture throughout from extreme weathered aging and cleaning. The action lacks the half cock notch but otherwise works great with nice spring tension. The bore is dim and slightly textured throughout with good rifling remaining. The stock flat still bears two cartouches. Many age and weather related cracks and splits throughout that are stable.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 40 inches.
Caliber: .58 Percussion
Overall condition as seen in photos.
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$1700
#244563