springfield 1861???

hello,

i was wondering if anyone could help identify if the musket i have acquired recently is the real thing or some other variant. it was pretty rusty when i received it so it is possible that some markings are gone or i have not discovered them yet. the part that puzzles me is the lock plate says "1861 US SPRINGFIELD" but i don't see any eagle (unless it wore off???). here are some pictures...

Dropbox - P1020421.JPG ...but plate with "US"
Dropbox - P1020422.JPG ...back of but plate
Dropbox - P1020423.JPG ...back of lock plate
Dropbox - P1020424.JPG ...lockplate
Dropbox - P1020428.JPG ...end of barrel

It depends on the year of manufacture and the manufacturer as to whether there was an eagle or not...apparently. Here's a site with some examples to show you. Original Items Parts

Though impossible to say without pictures, you probably have a M1861 Springfield manufactured Rifle Musket. Barrel length should be 39 inches and it should have three barrel bands. All US rifle muskets M1855, M1861 and M1863 Type 1 and Type 2 (so-called M1864) were completely steel mounted and bright finished.

Your M1861 lock would have had an eagle, but the eagle was a relatively detailed stamping and often stamped relatively lightly and easily removed, especially if refinished in service or after release after military service. I have never seen a Federal contract military arm, contractor or Arsenal made, that did not have the eagle though some Special Model Rifle Muskets (made by Colt and Lamson, Goodnow and Yale) may not have had the eagle if delivered on State Contract, but the vast majority did.

Your lock's eagle was likely relatively lightly stamped and was obliterated by the pitting evident in the area. Remember that the primers (percussion caps) were mercuric primed and were far more corrosive than black powder. The corrosion evident on your lock plate in that area is quite common.

Slight correction, the barrel should be 40 inches long. P53 Enfields were 39 inches.

thanks for the feedback! the barrel is 40inches long. in the original post there are some links to pictures, but if they are not working i'll attach the lock plate and barrel pictures here...

Attachment 56684

Attachment 56685

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gsimmons

Slight correction, the barrel should be 40 inches long. P53 Enfields were 39 inches.

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DOH! :madsmile:

Right you are, I knew that but.....

jayveesea, more pictures would be very helpful, especially a full length photo of the entire gun and small details and if you have time.

here are a couple more photos with some markings i have found. i acquired the gun disassembled, so all i have at this point are pictures of individual parts. are there specific markings i should look for?

Attachment 56699Attachment 56700Attachment 56701Attachment 56702Attachment 56703

Can we see the top of the breach and tang please? Is the the date and V P Eagle head visible?

here is the top...
Attachment 56712
...i can not make out any markings here.

Yes, too much pitting unfortunately.

---------- Post added at 08:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:55 PM ----------

Can we see the stock, especially the side lock area?