This is a Model 1863 Springfield Type I rifled musket from the Civil War. The weapon has an overall length of 56", with a barrel length of 40". The barrel has a even aged steel gray patina, except for the last 3" at the muzzle. Apparently this gun was displayed for many years with a fixed bayonet. The part of the barrel under the bayonet still shows the "National Bright" finish. The bore is .58 caliber and is dark with moderate rust the entire length. The standard Springfield barrel proofs of V/P/Eagle head are present, but very faint. The front sight and two leaf rear sight are still present. The nose cap matches tha barrel for patina. The three barrel bands are the split, screw type found on the Type I. All three are stamped with a U. The lockplate is stamped US/SPRINGFIELD forward of the hammer and 1861 behind the hammer. The lock has a matching patina of the barrel. The bolster has no clean out screw, and the eagle motif is barely visible. The mechanics of this old war horse are crisp, locking the hammer in both half and full cock. The hammer is correct for the Type I, having beveled contours on the shank. The trigger guard has a slightly darker patina than the barrel and lock. The rear trigger guard assembly screw is missing. The butt plate is stamped US and has a dark appearance. Both sling swivels are present, along with a period tulip head ramrod. The stock is an even dark brown color. The edges are crisp along the barrel channel. The wood shows some bumps and scuffs at the toe of the stock comb and around the lock. There are no cartouches on the stock flat opposite the lock. A 7 1/4" by 2 1/2" brass plate is attached to the left stock comb by four brass screws. The plate is engraved in four lines and reads: "Frank A. Cargill M.D./Private Co. G 6th Reg./N.H. Vol. Inft. Civil War/Enlisted at the age of 14 yrs." Frank Cargill had enlisted as a Private, and was mustered in as a substitute in Company G of the 6th New Hampshire Infantry on the 6 June, 1864. Records show that he was wounded at Petersburg, Virginia on 7 July, 1864, barely a month after he enlisted. Private Cargill was mustered out of the service with his unit on 17 July, 1865 at Alexandria, Virginia. Cargill went on to become a doctor and settled in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Dr. Cargill was active in the Grand Army of the Republic, and was the Department of Connecticut Commander in 1930. He died 2 March, 1932 at the age of 83. This Model 63 Springfield was most likely presented to him while he was the state Department Commander. This is definitely one of the cooler pieces to come through the shop lately!

Item # AA1212

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