This Civil War era single-shot muzzleloader is a .58 caliber Harpers Ferry Model 1855 percussion rifle-musket in very good overall condition. Longarm has a 40” round barrel with broad three-groove rifling. Stock is secured to the stock with three-barrel bands and three band springs. All furniture is iron including the lockplate, hammer, bolster, buttplate, triggerguard, swivels, ramrod, and the nose cap which was changed to iron beginning in 1859. AN iron patchbox door was also added to the rifles beginning in 1859. The buttplate, lockplate, and hammer have small patches of rust and minor pitting, but most gunmetal is clean with a dark brown, almost black patina.

All lockplate stampings visible. The large spread-winged eagle on the kidney-shaped, hinged primer door is worn in the central area of the shield. The date “1860”, behind the large, high spur hammer and the “U.S. / HARPERS FERRY” stamping forward of the hammer are strong and crisp. Barrel breech area is smooth with a very faint “1860” date and a crisp “65” stamped on the flat. The eagle head and proof marks are faintly visible on the barrel left facet. Replaced nipple.

Beveled lockplate is fitted with a C-shaped hammer and with the Maynard tape priming system. System employed a waterproof paper tape of percussion caps inserted into the primer magazine that set a cap unto the nipple when the hammer was pulled back and trigger pulled. Tape priming system mechanics very strong and smooth. Hammer has a knife-edged, bottom lip that severed the expended portion of the tape. Musket has a regular rear leaf-sight (middle leaf missing) and an iron blade front sight. Mechanics crisp and tight. Bore is clear with worn rifling. The original, steel, swelled-shank, tulip-head ramrod retains its threaded tip. The tulip “cupped” end is slightly flattened like it was struck on the end with a hammer. All barrel bands are original and secured to the stock via flat iron springs. Buttplate is stamped “US”. Handsome black walnut stock is solid with no cracks or splits. Wood surface is good and smooth but has numerous dings and dents typical of a piece over 150 years old. Two oval government cartouches are visible on the flat opposite the lockplate. Both swivels remain.

A good Harpers Ferry Model 1855 rifle-musket. [jet]

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