Identified US Model 1863 Type I Springfield Rifle Musket with Bayonet
Item #: AA4107
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This is a Model 1863 rifle musket manufactured by the Springfield Armory of Massachusetts. This 1863 is a type I, having the split barrel bands retained by screws instead of the band retaining springs. The overall length of the weapon is 56" with a barrel length of 40". The barrel, bands and all other hardware have a dark plum patina with just traces of the National Bright finish showing here and there. The bore is dark, shows light rust and dirt and no visible rifling. The original two leaf rear sight is missing and a crude replacement has been installed in it's place. The original pinched front sight is still on the barrel. The barrel proof markings of V/P/Eagle Head are no longer visible. The bolster eagle stamp is barely visible. The lock plate is stamped with an eagle forward of the hammer and U.S./SPRINGFIELD ahead of the eagle. To the rear of the hammer is the date, 1863. The mechanics are sound, with the hammer locking up in half and full cock. The nose cap, trigger guard, barrel bands and butt plate all have a matching dark plum patina. The front barrel band is missing, the two remaining barrel bands are stamped with a U, while the butt plate has the US stamped into it. The ramrod is still present, to include the threaded section. The stock is a medium brown and is in very good condition. There are a couple of bumps and dings from normal handling, but no major cracks or wood loss anywhere. The barrel channel and ramrod channel have nice, crisp edges. There is one visible cartouche on the left stock flat opposite the lock, but it is faint and hard to read. This Model 1863 Springfield Type I rifle musket comes with a US Model 1855 socket bayonet. These bayonets were manufactured for the .58 caliber rifled muskets used during the Civil War. This model of bayonet was in production from 1855 until 1870, resulting in the largest production of bayonets of a specific type to ever be produced. They were manufactured at both National Armories as well as by contractors such as the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, the Norwich Arms Company, the Providence Tool Company and Remington to name a few. There were even more bayonets produced under sub contract to other vendors, in total nearly 1.5 million! This bayonet has an overall length of 21", with a blade length of 18". There is just enough of the bright finish showing to know that it had one at one time! The entire blade now has a dull steel/gray patina with scattered areas of small oxidized spots. The locking ring and tension screw are still in place but are frozen in place. The flat part of the blade near the socket does not have a visible US stamp. There are no other stamps found on the bayonet anywhere. This musket and bayonet came directly from the family of the soldier who carried during the Civil War. Henry William Case mustered into Company F, 53rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment on 22 March, 1864. He was present with Company F during the fighting at The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House at the Mule Shoe, Cold Harbor, during the Siege of Petersburg at the First and Second battles of Deep Bottom and the Second battle of Ream's Station and throughout the Appomattox Campaign. Private Henry William Case was discharged from the Union Army on 31 May, 1865. He was born in 1846 and died in 1909, with the exception of his Civil War service, spending his entire life in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Overall, this Model 1863 Type I Springfield rifle is in very good condition. It will most definitely compliment any Civil War long arm collection, especially if you collect identified items.
Shipping Weight:
10 lbs
Your Price $1,850.00 USD
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