Springfield Model 1861 Rifle Musket Dated 1861

American Civil War

.62 caliber. 40" round barrel secured by three flat, spring-retained barrel bands. NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot percussion muzzleloading rifle musket with M1861 three leaf rear sight, Barleycorn combination front sight and socket bayonet lug, sling swivels and a swelled-shank tulip head ramrod. Lock marked with a {Spread-Winged Eagle}/U.S. forward of the hammer and in two horizontal lines U.S./SPRINGFIELD and dated 1861 at the tail. Breech of barrel dated 1861 as well. Upper left breech with typical V/P/{Eagle Head}. Counterpane of stock with two inspection cartouches, the a not fully decipherable finish cartouche that appears to be the JCB of J.C. Bragg and then the script ESA of Springfield's Master Armorer Erskine S Allin. The most desirable and representative US used military long arm from the American Civil War is a Springfield produced US Model 1861 Rifle Musket. 1861 and 1862 dated examples that are correct and in good condition are quite scarce as these guns saw the brunt of the fighting for the majority of the war. Finding one of these guns in very good to fine condition is even more difficult. This 1861 dated example is correct in every way, with the exception of having been bored smooth at some point in time, but otherwise remains in very nice condition, making it a fine addition to any serious collection of Civil War small arms. {ANTIQUE}

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

This lot is located in Cincinnati.