.58 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 pattern 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} forward of the hammer and in three horizontal lines U.S./WM MASON/TAUNTON and dated 1863 at the tail. Breech of barrel with weak 1863 as well. Upper left breech with typical V/P/{Eagle Head}. Counterpane of stock a pair of, crisp, clear inspection cartouches, the script RPB of Robert P Beals and the AJN of Augusta J Noble. William Mason received a contract for 50,000 US Model 1861 Rifle Muskets at the rate of $20 each on January 7, 1862. He delivered 30,000 guns between May 1863 and August 1864, making him one of the more successful of the rifle musket contractors during the war. {ANTIQUE}