1864 Dated Antique CIVIL WAR Springfield U.S. Model 1863 .58 RIFLE-MUSKET Primary Union Infantry Arm by SPRINGFIELD ARMORY

Product Description

1864 Dated Antique CIVIL WAR Springfield U.S. Model 1863 .58 RIFLE-MUSKET  

Primary Union Infantry Arm by SPRINGFIELD ARMORY

Here we present an antique Springfield U.S. Model 1863 Rifle-Musket, manufactured at the Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts circa 1864. The Model 1863 was only a minor improvement over the Springfield Model 1861. As such, it is sometimes classified as just a variant of the Model 1861. 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. 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.

At the beginning of the American Civil War, the South and North both relied heavily on imported rifles. It wasn’t until the North adopted the .58 Caliber Springfield musket that the average infantryman would evolve into an accurate marksman and effectively turn the tide of the war. The M1861 is representative of the “everyman’s” rifle during the 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. This musket also featured, for the first time in the arms market, static iron sights. Almost immediately after the war, the US 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 good. Patina throughout. The action is excellent. The bore is in good condition with strong rifling. The stock is solid with a cartouche on the left stock flat. The middle barrel band slides a bit, which is why the Type IIs went back to having the band springs. A nice piece of Civil War history!

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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$2350
#247354