This Model 1855 rifle has a very clear 1859 lockplate date, the newly devised M1858 short leaf rear sight, and both the iron patch box (or “catch box”) and iron stock tip marking it in Willyard’s typology as a Harpers Ferry Type 5 rifle, produced starting about late June 1859. The barrel has firing corrosion next the nipple, from percussion caps, partially obscuring the barrel date, but the upper portion of the first three digits is pretty clear and seems to be “185[.],” indicating a build date for the rifle of 1859. The total for the calendar year was 1399, including 220 initially made without rear sights and later retrofitted.

The 1855 series of arms included a number of innovations and improvements. The most obvious are the use of the Maynard tape priming system, intended to eliminate the need for percussion caps, and the standard use of a rifled barrel combined with the Minie ball, which increased range and accuracy without sacrificing speed in loading. The 1855, however, was a holdover from the use of shorter-barreled rifles by select troops while regular infantry used muskets and followed upon the very popular M1841 Mississippi Rifle. These were produced only at the Harpers Ferry Armory and only until its destruction in 1861, making it not only an elegant longarm and important in arms development, but scarce as well, though the machinery used in its production had a second life in Confederate hands.

The rifle is complete with both front and rear sight, bayonet lug for a saber bayonet (with mating number 100 stamped on it,) and all bands, springs, swivels, and ramrod in place. The bore is bright and the rifling is very good. The mechanics are strong and crisp. The Maynard priming system works. The metal is generally smooth, showing just pitting near the nipple from the percussion caps, indicating use. The barrel, bands, triggerguard and butt plate show a thin brown. The V/P/[eaglehead] barrel proofs are good and fully legible at the left breech. The top of the barrel at the breech shows the upper half of an 1859 date, tough to make out from the firing, but legible, and a deep “16,” very clear, at the base of the barrel, just above the breechplug, likely an issue or rack number. The lockplate and hammer are smooth metal light gray with dark gray age spotting, but crisp markings: 1859 to rear of the hammer, a nice Harpers Ferry eagle on the primer door, and U.S. / HARPERS, FERRY in the proper form with the ‘S upside down, not remedied until the new die of 1860. The patch box has a tight fit, color matching the lock and still shows some thin blue on the screws. The wood is very good, with good color, surface and fit to the metal, though natural rounding of edges from handling. There are small handling marks and light dings, but no cracks or divots. The gun was obviously used, but cared for. We see no remnants of cartouches, but a careful going over with strong raking light might pick up something we missed.

The 1855 series of US arms is very interesting category to collect, with lots of variations, alterations, and a lot of history packed into some visually pleasing arms.  [SR] [ph:L]

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