Presented here is a correct Confederate Richmond Armory ‘Low Hump’ rifle musket in very good but highly polished condition. The Richmond Rifle Musket is a scarce longarm as it is one of the early Southern-produced rifle muskets assembled at the Confederate States Armory at Richmond with original M1855 rifle parts captured from the Federal Harper’s Ferry Armory in 1861. In April of that year, Virginia State Forces under Captain Turner Ashby and his cavalry raided Harper’s Ferry and made off with the Federal armory’s most modern M1855 rifle and rifle musket tooling and milling machinery, including all the spare M1855 musket parts and dies. The equipment was relocated to Richmond and the first production run of Confederate longarms for service commenced in October 1861. The obvious ‘high hump’ characteristic in the M1855 lockplate was designed to support the Maynard tape primer system which the Confederates did not utilize in their production. All of the captured M1855 parts were used up in the first or early production runs. When the original ‘high hump’ tooling dies wore out, Richmond Armory mechanics produced new dies with a ‘low hump’ design. The low hump also facilitated placing the percussion cap on the nipple.

This later-production longarm exhibits a number of Richmond-manufactured parts to include an unmarked brass butt plate, a hammer with no Maynard primer cutting edge or notch, crudely checkered cuts on the hammer thumb, a cast brass nose cap with screw, steel barrel, and the barrel bands. All gunmetal on this rifle musket exhibits a shiny bright, highly polished or buffed finish. All three iron barrel bands, a.k.a. stock bands, have the M1855 “U” stampings that do not align on the band springs. Also, all band markings have a deeper imprint on the right vertical stem of the letter “U”. This longarm features an 1863-dated C.S. Armory, Richmond, Virginia Low Hump lockplate that exhibits a clear two-line stamping of “C. S. / RICHMOND, VA” on the front tang of the lockplate under the bolster. A strong, clear “1863” stamping visible behind the hammer. Lockplate bears a dull gray patina with light pinprick pitting overall.

Musket measures 55½” long overall with a 40” long Richmond-made barrel. Barrel bore exhibits very good condition three-groove rifling. Barrel includes its armory-made, ¼” long cut for the ‘steady pin’ that helps secure the rear sight. Sight’s locking spanner screw is retained but has been modified with a straight-cut slot. Proof markings of “V / P / eagle head” visible on the breech left facet but the ‘P’ and ‘eagle head’ are thin. Both sling swivels present. The new, unmarked Richmond-made black walnut stock measures 52¾” long and has acquired a fine, pleasing dark patina overall. Stock enjoys just slight dings with no Master Armorer’s or inspector’s cartouches, and no patch box. Stock does show drops of old varnish on the right shoulder area and mild edge rounding at the flat. The steel swelled shank, tulip head ramrod exhibits a slightly larger diameter head, no threaded tip, minor casting flaws and appears slightly shortened.

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

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