The model 1861, with all of its variants, was the most commonly used longarm in the american civil war, with over 700,000 manufactured. The trenton contract was received on december 26 1861 for 50,000 rifles. Allin, springfields master armorer, designed a method for converting many of these. The model 1870 was a minor improvement to the springfield model 1868, and retained most of the model 1868s features note. It would soon become one of the most legendary, respected and sought after rifles in the history of firearms. Some 700,000 model 1861 rifled muskets were produced and the type served as the standard musket of the entire war. I backed it off to 60 grains and shot a 4 3 shot group that was just below the bullseye target and strung horizontally. Shooting and discussing an original 1863 springfield type i civil war rifle, which is essentially just a variant of the classic 1861 springfield.
It was a modification of the springfield rifled musket model 1861. If the internal parts of the 1873 springfield breechloader look the same as those of the 1861 muzzleloader, thats because most of them are. The model 1861 springfield rifle musket was the principal weapon of the civil war. Springfield rifle, any of several rifles that were standard infantry weapons of the u. The most widley used rifle during the civil war, the 1861 springfield was a favorite due to its reliability, accuracy, and range. This springfield us modle 1861 rifle musket was hit by a bullet below the muzzle. Forgotten women workers of the first world war 2002, as well as articles on many aspects of american culture, and exhibition catalogues on the history. The springfield model 1870 was one of several model trapdoor springfields, which used the trapdoor breechblock design developed by erskine s. It was made in 1889 and includes the hard to find bayonet and rear sight. Springfield model 1870 rolling block us navy rifle 1.
The springfield model 1861 was a minietype rifled musket shoulderarm used. The springfield model 1873 rifle the campaign for the. The lock plate milling machine was modified in march 1862 to make. Over 700,000 springfield model 1861 rifles produced. Connecticut arms the union museum of connecticut history. The springfield model 1873 was the armys standard issue rifle during the indian wars of the 1870s and 1880s. During the civil war over 1,5000,000 of the 1861 pattern rifle muskets were produced by the springfield national armory and 2 private contractors. A soldier attached an infantry cap badge to the stock of this particular rifle.
M1861 springfield armi sporteuroarmspedersoli m1861 springfield for a sidebyside comparison of how our defarbed m1861 springfield compares to an. Savage revolving fire arms company model 1861 springfield rifle musket. Springfield model 1870 may also refer to the the springfield rolling block u. The model 1861 rifle musket was the standard issue infantry arm used throughout the civil war. I was shooting 70 grains of powder, a 412 grain miniball, sized to. This 58 caliber reproduction percussion rifle has a 40 barrel with a 1 in 48 twist. A contemporary rifle collection isnt complete without one.
Springfield riflemusket 12261861 eagle manufacturing co. While difficult to find during the early civil war years, it became the first rifle produced at. The armoury had produced smoothbore muskets from its earliest days, and between 1858 and 1865 it turned out more than 840,000. As such, it is sometimes classified as just a variant of the model 1861. Ill apologize in advance for the pictures, but thought it might allow you to give me a ballpark idea of worth. It has a 32in barrel and will make a fine addition to your collection.
These were the last muzzle loading, paper cartridge percussion arms to be produced by the u. Being a history and description of firearms imported during the american civil. Springfield 1861 us percussion rifle rifles for sale. Caliber, springfield type rifle musket contracted to the u. This is a model 1866 trapdoor, which used the original barrel from the donor musket but was sleeved down to. Though w parts being interchangeable anything is possible. The 1861 springfield was one of the principle firearms of the civil war. It was officially replaced as the standard infantry. Twitter updated august 29, 2018 history of the springfield trap door rifle. Im trying to help an email acquaintance determine the worth of some fireearms he has. Army weapon during the civil war, favored for its range, accuracy, and reliability. It was professionally modified to carbine size and ended up in indian hands. It was similar in several respects to the socalled m.
These were made in1986 and this one remains new and perfect in wooden presentation case. Production began in october 1861 retaining the general form of the model 1855, but without the maynard tape primer mechanism and patch box. The model 1863 was only a minor improvement over the springfield model 1861. The original rear sight was removed and a western style buckhorn sight was added. A new historical series featured only on this channel bringing to life with vivid recreations, sound and editing documentaries on the history of firearms from the dawn of time to modern day. Roughly 700,000 springfield rifles were produced between 1861 and 1865. Part of the military history commons, and the united states history.
These arms enjoyed the longest production run in u. So you would still have a funtioning gun but with a really shot barrel. More efficient than the earlier smooth bored muskets used by both sides in the american civil war. The us model 1861 springfield riflemusket tom rowe. Armi sport 1861 springfield muzzleloading rifle 58 cal. Mishaps springfield armory national historic site u. Originally made during 1861, in limited quantities, by the springfield armoury, this replica, authentically reproduces one of americas most historical firearms. Springfield armory model 1861 percussion riflemusket singleshot. Get the best deals on civil war rifle when you shop the largest online selection at. Burt of the trenton locomotive and machine company, trenton, new jersey. Springfield armory model 1861 percussion rifle musket singleshot muzzleloading black powder ball ammunition on april 12, 1861, southern militia fired on fort sumter in charleston harbor, south carolina.
The old state armory building with harpers ferry machinery was transferred to confederate states control in june 1861. The m1903 springfield, formally the united states rifle, caliber. The springfield model 1855 was a rifle musket widely used in the american civil war. About 60,000 of these rifles were made, and it was a standard infantry weapon for union and confederates alike, until the model 1861 supplanted it, obviating the use of the insufficiently waterproof maynard. Springfield model 1861 percussion rifle musket nra museums. Working the 1873 springfield trapdoor singleshot rifle. I myself have such a gun, a cs richmond musketoon made from an 1861 springfield, its basically a sawedoff 1861 musket. The full delivery number of arms from 18621864 was 21,995. This is the first in a 48part series that will tell the story of springfield during each month of the civil war, which happened 150 years ago the april of 1861 arrived in springfield with warm. The model 1863 also has the distinction of being the last muzzleloading longarm produced by the springfield armory. The henry rifle would go on to play a significant, if not dominant role in the frontier days of the american west. The war between the north and south remains the most bloody conflict in american history with over 625,000 souls claimed. The model 1861 rifle musket and its close cousin the colt 1861 special.
The advancements of the 1860 henry rifle wrought had an immediate impact and the gun almost instantly left its mark on the pages of history. There are a total of 45 civil war rifles 1861 1865 in the military factory. Model 1861 and 1863 riflemuskets, which were based on a modification of the earlier model 1855, were produced in great quantities throughout the civil war. Springfield 1884 trap door 4570 with bayonet made in 1889. The trapdoor on the 1866 springfield opened forward for loading. The springfield model 1861 was the standard rifle used by union infantry during the civil war. You can see the metal is decent no signs of large areas of patina aka rust. By the end of 1863, most federal infantrymen were armed with this weapon.
Springfield rifles antique for sale guns international. John langellier looks at the iconic trapdoor springfield rifle, mainstay of the u. Though never formally adopted nor widely used maybe around 7,000 saw action, the 15round, 24inch barreled repeater developed mythical stature in the american civil war, outgunning anything it met on the battlefield. The cracked wrist is held together with wood screws and originally was covered with hide. I thought it particularly pathetic that an epochal rifle such as the 1861 springfield remember, the title of the book is 1861 inclusive didnt receive even an honorable mention, although it was the single most coveted rifle of the war between the states. Flag images indicative of country of origin and not necessarily the primary operator. The rifle also saw service in the spanishamerican war and the philippine insurrection. Army most of the time from 1873 to 1936, all taking their name from the springfield armory, established at springfield, mass. The gun was obviously very tastefully cleaned at one time as evidenced by a few small areas of roughness, but it was done correctly. Allin installed in a model 1861 springfield rifle musket donor.
Civil war rifled musket shooting into a landscaping timber and page book. It is estimated that about one million model 1861 type rifle muskets were. Manufactured by springfield armory in massachusetts, this was the most commonly used infantry weapon among union. The rifle was produced in springfield massachusetts, which is where it got its name. Civil war muzzleloading rifle muskets were obsolete by the end of that conflict, and many were sold as military surplus. The springfield model 1865 was an early breechloading rifle manufactured by u. One of them is this original 1861 springfield musket.
Springfield model 1861 rifled musket military factory. The springfield model 1861 was a minietype rifled musket shoulderarm used by the united states army and marine corps during the american civil war. Commonly referred to as the springfield after its original place of production, springfield, massachusetts, it was the most widely used u. Entries are listed below in alphanumeric order 1toz. Model 1861 springfield riflemusket hardcover august 5, 2008. By the end of 1863, most federal infantrymen were armed with either this musket or the enfield.