This is a type I Model 1855 Rifle Musket manufactured at the Harper's Ferry Armory in 1858. The Model 1855 rifle was one o the staple arms of the Civil War, as was sought after by both Union and Confederate armies. The Model 1855 was the first US military weapon made to fire the .58 caliber Minie bullet. These weapons were produced at both the Springfield and Harper's Ferry Armories from 1857 - 1861. The armory at Harper's Ferry did not begin production until 1858, while the Springfield Armory began production in 1857. Total production between both armories was just over 59,000, with only 12,158 produced at Harper's Ferry. This is a pretty scare weapon that is in it's original, untouched condition. The weapon has an overall length of 56", with a barrel length of 40". The barrel has it's original brown finish used before the switch to the "National Bright" finish. The barrel is smooth with very minimal pitting, mainly around the bolster area. The barrel proofs are faint, but are definitely Springfield. They are from breech to muzzle, eagle head, the letter P and the letter V. The barrel date is no longer visible. The only other markings on the barrel is stamped into the rear of the breech and read CRU 6. The bore is starting to darken, but has strong rifling and very minimal pitting. A little cleaning could bring this one right back to like new. The rear sight is the correct long range sight similar to that found on the Model 1842 musket, slightly reduced in size. The sight is located six inches forward of the breech end of the barrel and is graduated out to eight hundred yards. The front sight is incorporated into the bayonet lug, another first in American made military rifles. The ramrod is the correct swelled shaft, tulip head design that was used with this weapon. The three iron barrel bands are all stamped with the letter U and match the barrel patina perfectly. They are retained by band springs. Both sling swivels are present and secure to the middle barrel band and the trigger bow. The lockplate is stamped 1858 behind the hammer, an eagle is on the Maynard primer system door and US/HARPERS FERRY forward of the hammer. The lockplate, as well as the trigger guard and butt plate continue on with the matching patina of the barrel. It's obvious this gun has been together for a long time. The only brass piece is the nose cap, which has a very nice mellow golden patina. Remarkably, the mechanics of the Maynard primer system are as strong as the day it was made. The butt plate does not have the US stamp on the tang. The dark walnut stock is in very good condition. There are no cartouches on the left flat opposite the lock plate. The normal bumps, dings and scratches are present. There is one shallow age crack on the left side of the stock between the middle and rear barrel bands, approximately six" long. This is an honest, original condition Civil War era gun that has survived the ages well.

Item # AA1033

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