This Civil War era single-shot muzzleloader is a .58 caliber Harpers Ferry Model 1855 percussion rifle-musket. Longarm has a 40” round barrel with broad three-groove rifling. Barrel is secured to the stock with three-barrel bands and three band springs. All furniture is iron including the lockplate, hammer, bolster, butt plate, trigger guard, swivels and ramrod. The nose cap is brass (changed to iron in 1859). Gun metal is light gray in color except for the lockplate and hammer which were more recently cleaned and remain bright.

Bore is clear with good rifling. A long-range rear sight and blade/bayonet lug front sight remain in place. The original, steel, swelled-shank, tulip-head ramrod retains its threaded tip. All barrel bands are original and secured to the stock via flat iron springs. Butt plate is stamped “US”.

Clear lockplate stampings: large spread-winged eagle on the kidney-shaped primer door, the date “1859” stamped behind the high spur hammer, and the “U.S. / HARPERS FERRY” forward of the primer door. Barrel breech area is dinged up with “1858” date. The eagle head and proof marks are visible on the left facet, inspector’s initials on right facet near bolster. Original nipple. Hammer/trigger mechanics are strong and operate well.

The Maynard tape priming 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 still operate well. Hammer has a knife-edged, bottom lip that severed the expended portion of the tape.

Black walnut stock shows moderate use. A crack and repair behind the breech plug tang. Two government cartouches and inspector’s initials stamped on left flat. Nice original wood color and patina.

An original, well-used Harpers Ferry Model 1855 rifle-musket.  [jet] [ph:L]

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