This is a Samuel Norris & William T. Clement contract rifle musket manufactured in Springfield, Massachusetts for the state of Massachusetts. There were several thousand of these rifled muskets produced, based off of the Model 1863 Type I Springfield. The rifle measures 56" overall with a 40" barrel. The barrels were rifled in .58 caliber, but this one has been shot out. The bore is dark with light pitting and shows little to no rifling, gaging out at .62 caliber. The exterior of the barrel is smooth, with pitting around the bolster and top of the barrel. There is no date visible on the barrel, but the left side near the breech is stamped V/P/Eagle head. Below the standard Springfield marks are inspector initials LRF. The bolster has the eagle motif stamp. The rear sight is the two leaf type, while the front sight doubles as a bayonet lug. The lockplate is stamped 1863 behind the hammer and S.N & W.T.C./ FOR MASSACHUSETTS with the Eagle motif over the letters US in front of the hammer. The action works perfectly, locking in half and full cock. The three barrel bands are marked with the letter U and are all clamping type, not retained by springs. The front and middle bands are sub inspector marked with the letter P, while the rear band is marked S. The trigger guard has a sub inspector mark of G, while the butt plate is marked with an I. The butt plate is also stamped with the letters US. The ramrod has a tulip shaped head and straight shank with the threaded end intact. All of the iron parts, barrel included, have the same dark patina and fit the walnut stock like a glove. It's apparent this thing has been together forever. The stock also has a dark appearance, with the normal handling dings. There is a small age crack to the rear of the lockplate and another behind the hammer. There are two cartouches on the left side of the stock. On the bottom of the stock just behind the rear barrel band are six carved notches. Pretty sure Billy Yank wasn't keeping count of rabbits he killed! This is one solid weapon from the Civil War that has some real character. Definitely one that any Civil War long arm collector needs to complete a collection!

Item # AA905

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