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Item No.:	7952	Price :	SOLD
Item :	CIVIL WAR, U.S. MODEL 1855 SPRINGFIELD RIFLE-MUSKET

Description :

This is an original, Civil War, U.S. Model 1855 Type II Rifle-Musket manufactured at Springfield Armory in 1857. The Model 1855 was the first U.S. Musket specifically designed to fire the new "Minie" ball ammunition. It was .58 caliber and fitted with the Maynard Tape Primer Device. This allowed, in theory, a new cap to be advanced to the percussion cone each time the musket was cocked, eliminating the need to manually cap the weapon for each shot. In practice it did not work well, and was eliminated on the later Model 1861 Rifle-Musket. This was the primary musket in the hands of the troops at the beginning of the Civil War. The Model 1855 soldiered on throughout the conflict, side by side with the later types. Springfield Armory made 47,115 of this type. This musket is in good condition. It is missing the internal parts of the Maynard Primer Device and the ramrod. The metal has been cleaned and now has a pewter gray patina with light overall pitting. The pitting is heavier around the nipple and bolster. The lock has a darker patina. The brass fore end tip has a nice bronze patina. The bore has some pitting but strong visible rifling throughout. The hammer will come to full cock and fire properly, but it will not hold on the half-cock position. The stock has been cleaned as well. There are faint remnants of the inspector's cartouches visible. The usual small dings and scratches from use are present. While not rare, the Model 1855 was produced in far smaller quantities than the later types. Fewer than 60,000 were made by both armories, compared to well over 1.5 million Model 1861 and 1863 Rifle-Muskets by all producers. Stock no. 20919

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