This is a barn find or early battlefield pickup Type II Richmond Rifle Musket manufactured at the Richmond Armory in 1862 that came in from the local Southwest Virginia area. The total number of these weapons produced is unknown, but they were made in larger quantities than any other Confederate long arm manufactured during the Civil War. The weapon has an overall length of 56", with a barrel length of 40". The barrel has a mixed bright and steel gray patina, showing extensive pitting along the entire barrel surface and tang. The bore is so rusty that my bore light got stuck and I had to do an impromptu cleaning just to get it back! At the muzzle it gauges out at .60 caliber, so this one did some shooting! The rear sight is the two leaf flip up type, correct for the Richmond Type II. The front sight is incorporated into the bayonet lug. The tulip head ramrod is still present for duty. You can no longer see the U stamps on the three iron barrel bands, as they are also very pitted and match the barrel patina perfectly. Both sling swivels are present and secure to the middle barrel band and the trigger bow. The lockplate is stamped 1862 behind the hammer and the magical C.S./RICHMOND VA. stamp is forward of the hammer. The mechanics of the lock are strong and crisp, holding at half and full cock. When the trigger is depressed the hammer strikes the nipple hard and squarely. The lockplate, as well as the trigger guard continue on with the matching patina and pitting of the barrel. It's obvious this gun has been together for a long time. The butt plate is iron and stamped with the US. The nose cap on this Type II Richmond is also iron, not commonly found, and perfectly matches the rest of the iron parts for pitting and patina. The walnut stock is in good condition. There are two letters stamped on the left flat opposite the lock plate, F and either C or G. There is a large section of wood missing between the barrel tang and lock on the right side, running from the rear of the breech all the way to the back of the lock.approximately 1/2" wide and 3 1/4" long. The medium chocolate stock has a couple of shallow stress cracks, to the front and rear of the trigger guard and on the left butt stock. The barrel channel edges are pretty crisp, as well as the ram rod channel until you get towards the front barrel band. The left stock comb has the letters CS carved in it. It is my opinion that this is an early battlefield pick up that was stored in an out building or barn and was cleaned some time ago in an attempt to restore it. It is a great example of an early war Confederate long arm that could have seen service at some of the bloodiest battles of the war.

Print Email to a friend