Harpers Ferry US Model 1841 Type IIB Alteration Mississippi Rifle

American Civil War

.54 caliber. 33" round barrel secured by two flat brass spring-retained bands. NSN. Originally browned barrel, color casehardened lock and hammer, brass furniture, walnut stock. Single shot percussion muzzleloading rifle. Lock marked with a {Spread-Winged Eagle}/US forward of the hammer and in three vertical lines HARPERS/FERRY/1855 at the tail. Breech plug tang with matching 1855 date. Breech with correct small V/P/{Eagle Head} proof and an WW/P inspection mark. Counterpane shows no legible inspection marks but with a weak JLR inspection inside the patchbox cut-out, the mark of Harpers Ferry Rifle Manufactory Foreman John L. Rowe. Patchbox cut-out with the three router pilot holes found on Harpers Ferry made 1841 rifle stocks. Spare cone in patchbox. Buttplate without the "US" on the tang, as is correct and with Harpers Ferry added B.73 bayonet mating mark. Type IIB long range ladder rear sight that is graduated 2, 3, 4 on the right sidewall and 5 through 10 on the ladder. Original brass blade front sight. Rifle equipped with Harpers Ferry added saber bayonet lug on the right side, 2.5" from the muzzle with a 1" guide key. As a result the upper band is the shorter 2.5" variant used by Harpers Ferry on the guns that received saber bayonet lugs on the barrel, replacing the original 3.375" long upper band. Retains original sling swivels and a full-length swelled steel tip ramrod with good threads at the end. These all steel ramrods were added to some Harpers Ferry modified rifles that were intended to utilize conical ammunition. During the production run at Harpers Ferry a total of 25,207 Model 1841 rifles would be produced between 1844 and 1855. Of those, nearly 9,000 would be altered at Harpers Ferry to accept bayonets and would receive new, long-range rear sights. This is one of those earlier alterations and probably one of the "new production rifles" that was altered within months of having been produced. The Type IIB rear sight replaced original Type II rear sight and was an overall improved design with newly adopted sidewalls for adjustments and a redesigned elevator. A solid example of a Harpers Ferry 1841 variant rifle for the collector of Harpers Ferry rifles or Mississippi Rifles. A correct pattern saber bayonet is offered for sale in the accompanying online timed auction.

The Collection of John Vagnetti

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Very good. Very good bore is mostly bright with original deep 7-groove rifling and showing scattered oxidation and some pitting along its length. Barrel mostly a pewter gray patina with some thin oxidized brown patches and scattered areas of discoloration that gives the barrel the appearance of having some traces of finish. Lock with a mottled gray patina with freckled oxidation with some hints of the original case coloring. Markings remain clear and crisp in the metal. Mechanically functional lock is crisp. Brass with an attractive golden patina. Wood with more moderate wear and an old, light sanding leaving the counterpane edges somewhat soft. Some burn out and minor wood loss is present between the hammer and the tang. Otherwise with scattered bumps, dings and mars.

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