Childhood dream: original M1861 Springfield rifled musket
I've wanted one of these since I was in middle school, 30-odd years ago. Seeing my friend's in TN on our recent road trip got me looking again for a decently priced example.
Picked this up on Gunbroker and then picked it up on the way home in Ohio. Cost between a reproduction Armi-Sport and Pedersoli M61. Why buy repro when you can buy original for the same money? Markings on the breech (1861) and (V/P/Eagle) are faint and visible only in just the right light. Middle band is original, but the rounded, smaller M63 variety. I've a line on trading up to the right M61 flat style one. The nipple is a replacement and the rear sight is held on by a modern hex-top screw. I bought an original for it, but the screw hold had been re-sleeved and the threads aren't wide enough. Need to work on the right side rust a little. This was carried by a re-enactor for several years. Plenty of rifling.
Of course I'm going to shoot it.
T
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