Fine & Scarce Brass Mounted US Model 1855 Type I Harpers Ferry Rifle

American Civil War

.58 caliber. 33" round barrel secured by two flat brass spring retained bands. NSN. Browned finish, color casehardened lock, brass furniture, walnut stock. Single shot, muzzleloading percussion rifle with Maynard automated tape primer lock. Lock marked in two horizontal lines forward of the hammer: US/HARPERS FERRY and dated 1858 at tail of lock. Breech dated 1858 as well with standard V/P/{Eagle Head} inspection marks at left of breech. No visible cartouche. Weak right-side-up US on buttplate tang, "U" marks on both barrel bands. Long range rear sight graduated from 1 to 5 on each side wall, 6 to 9 on the ladder and 10 on the outside edge of the upper V-notch, low-base iron rifle front sight, saber bayonet lug on obverse of barrel near muzzle. Brass furniture including bands, triggerguard, 1.375" long nose cap, buttplate and patchbox. Patchbox cut for the long range, "Figure-8" sharpshooter's sight and includes a high quality reproduction in it. An original spare nipple is in the patchbox as well. 1855 pattern hammer with primer tape cutter face and notch in nose is marked R on the reverse. Lock washers are steel. Rifle retains both sling swivels and an original tulip head, swelled shank ramrod with good threads at the end. A total of 3,545 "Type I" brass mounted 1855 Rifles intended for the long range ladder rear sights were produced between fiscal years 1857 and 1859, with the fiscal year starting July 1 of the previous year (calendar years July 1, 1856 through June 30 1858). During that time 700 were delivered with the long range rear sights attached and the balance without. Some were later completed with the addition of the 1858 pattern short base, 3-leaf rear sights, but some were still in storage without rear sights when the Harpers Ferry Arsenal was captured by Virginia state forces in April 1861 and subsequently turned over to the Confederate government. Many of those guns in storage were destroyed or damaged by a fire set by loyal Union arsenal personal, even though the fire was quickly extinguished. Today the brass mounted 1855 rifle in its original configuration with the long range rear sight is one of the most difficult and desirable US military rifles to acquire for a collection. This is a lovely example in very nice condition and is worthy of being added to an advanced collection.

The Collection of John Vagnetti

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Fine. Bore fine with crisp rifling, showing scattered oxidation and freckling in a mostly bright bore. Barrel with traces of brown finish on exposed metal and strong arsenal brown under the barrel bands and some stronger traces under the barrel itself. Metal mostly smooth with some lightly scattered oxidation and a mottled grayish brown patina on most of the barrel and lock surfaces, with some light pitting at the breech. Markings in metal remain fully legible and clear. Lock mechanically functional with the tape primer mechanism complete. Brass with an attractive rich butterscotch patina. Stock very good with good edges and lines, with some minor rounding to the sharpest edges. There is a tiny chip of wood missing at the rear of the lock mortise and some surface scuffs that suggest an old, very light sanding at some point. Otherwise with scattered light bumps, dings and mars.

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