The Joslyn rifle Model 1864 is a breech loading longarm produced at the Springfield Armory between January and June 1865. Though once considered a post war conversion muzzle loader to a breech loader, the Model 1864 Joslyn rifle is the first, true breech-loading, cartridge-using firearm to be made in substantial quantities at any U.S. National Armory. The rifles were produced and assembled on new made infantry rifles specially designed for actions identical to the more common M1864 Joslyn Carbine.

This breechloader employs the 50-60-450 caliber Joslyn rimfire cartridge which was produced at the Frankford Arsenal. The rifle was also known and commonly listed as a 56-50 caliber, and would utilize the .52 caliber Spencer rimfire metallic cartridge in a pinch. Joslyn’s unique loading arrangement consisted of pulling out the breechblock knob, pivoting the breechblock up and to the left and then inserting the round. With the breechblock open, the barrel exhibits serial # 1346 on top of the barrel tang while the breechblock exhibits the number “M 1346.”

The rifle, in good overall condition, features all gunmetal with a smooth, medium gray appearance marked by scattered peppery pitting. All metal including barrel, lockplate, hammer, triggerguard, and butt plate appear to have been lightly cleaned. The M1864 Joslyn rifle has a 35½” long, round barrel fitted to a full, one-piece walnut stock. Longarm has an overall length of 52”. Lockplate in front of the hammer is stamped with the large “spreadwinged eagle motif” while the rear of the lockplate bears the date “1864.” On the breechblock knob face is the clear and strong patent stamping of “B.F. JOSLYN’S PATENT / OCTOBER 8^TH 1861 / JUNE 1862”. Lockplate has a modified, “S” shaped, chamfered-edge hammer. Two-leaf rear sight has a center hole and “V” notch and sits at the rear of the barrel. Front sight at the muzzle tip is a small, pinched iron blade sight. Bore is dark with thin rifling. Mechanics crisp and tight.

Stock, heavily cleaned, is in good overall condition. Stock exhibits a wrist crack repair that extends 3” back from the barrel tang. No cartouches but the flat does display a small German silver shield device tacked to stock. Normal dings and scratches from use and storage. All screws are original and not buggered. “US” is stamped on the butt tang. No war records show actual Civil War combat usage.

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