This is an early example of the standard rifle musket of the Civil War, the Model 1861 Springfield, complete, all original and very good condition, actually made at that armory, and early in the war, showing an 1861 dated lock plate and 1862 dated barrel, indicating assembly and delivery very early in 1862. Early collectors sometimes passed by guns with differing dates or, in a misguided attempt to correct or deceive, would switch out parts. This one fortunately escaped that process and accurately reflects the fact that production and assembly of locks usually outpaced production and proofing of barrels, making mixed dates early in the next year not only common but expected and ironically lets us more tightly date the rifle. Its condition is all the more remarkable since these early Springfields were rushed into the hands of troops in the field as soon as assembled and remained standard arms throughout the war.

With production starting at Springfield in July 1861, this pattern streamlined the .58 caliber muzzle-loading Model 1855 rifle musket, eliminating the Maynard tape priming system, and the buttstock patch box (or “catch box.”) With the pressing need for arms, Springfield increased its work force, machinery, and started night shifts, managing to turn out some 33,000 of these new rifle-muskets by the end of 1861 and another 31,622 in the first quarter of 1862 alone, most likely the time frame for this one. Letters from the Chief of Ordnance make clear they were being shipped out as fast as possible to troops at the front, making this a candidate for use in most of the great battles and campaigns of the war.

This is in very good condition with smooth metal, carefully cleaned and in the bright as is correct, tightly fitting the wood, which has good surface, color and edges. Barrel and bands show some scattered, thin gray spotting, with a thumbprint-sized spot just aft of the middle and lower bands, with some more on the breech that might qualify as light freckling around the 1862 barrel date, which is fully legible, as are the V/P/[eaglehead] barrel proofs, both showing just some rubbing from cleaning. Both sights are in place. The rear sight shows some original thin blue and is the 1858 pattern with step at the rear, another sign of early production: manufacture of the 1860 pattern rear sight at Springfield is estimated to have started about November 1861, making the 1858 pattern appropriate on a rifle assembled early in 1862 that would be using up both locks and rear sights left in inventory. The lock is clearly dated 1861 in a horizontal line to the rear of the hammer and is stamped with the Springfield spread-winged American eagle forward of the hammer, and U.S. / SPRINGFIELD in two horizontal lines below the bolster. The buttplate has a tight fit to the wood and bears a clear US on the tang and two rack numbers indicating actual issue, and probably re-issue: “12” just below the screw and “43” closer to the heel. As with other elements these likely indicate an issue early in the war, when such formalities could still be observed.

The wood has a nice, warm brown color and surface with just expected light scratches and handling marks. The only exceptions are a slight bit of wear at the left breech of the barrel and slight rounding to the forward edge of the lock apron and counterpane from handling. The counterpane shows expected small dings and scratches, but still shows two clear inspection stamps: one is the script ESA final inspection cartouche of Erskine Allin, in the correct position at bottom rear. Above and slightly forward is set of inspector’s initials we cannot quite decipher in a cartouche with straight top and bottom borders and convex ends, but which would be those of the “finish inspector.” The buttstock is very good. We see just some short, slight chips along the right edge and toe of the buttplate, which is pretty typical wear from the rifle butt being dropped to the ground in drill or in combat while loading.

All bands, springs, swivels, sights and ramrod are in place. The mechanics are fine. The bore shows a little rust along the edges of the rifling, but is otherwise clean. Only about a quarter of the Model 1861s were arsenal made like this one. They were rushed into the field and saw long use. This one would make a great addition to any Civil War collection.  [sr] [ph:L]

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