This Civil War era single-shot muzzleloader is a .58 caliber Harpers Ferry Model 1855 percussion rifle-musket in very good overall condition. Longarm has a 40” round barrel with broad three-groove rifling. Stock is secured to the stock with three-barrel bands and three band springs. All iron furniture is complete and in place including the lockplate, hammer, buttplate, triggerguard, swivels, ramrod, patch box, and nose cap which was changed from brass to iron in 1859. All gunmetal is smooth and clean with areas of dark brown/gray color.

All lockplate stampings sharp and clear. The large spread-winged eagle on the kidney-shaped, hinged primer door, along with the date “1859” deeply stamped behind the large, high spur, C-shaped hammer. Large eagle motif on door is still high in detail, including stripes on shield and feathers. Marked with the “U.S. / HARPERS FERRY” forward of the hammer. Lockplate is fitted with the Maynard tape priming system. System employed a waterproof paper tape of percussion caps inserted into the primer magazine that set a cap unto the nipple when the hammer was pulled back and trigger pulled. Tape priming system mechanics very strong and smooth. Hammer has a knife-edged, bottom lip that severed the expended portion of the tape. Mechanics crisp and strong.

Barrel breech area is pitted with a date “1860” on the flat. The eagle head and proof marks are light but visible on the barrel left facet. Barrel has a long-range rear sight graduated to 500 yards and an iron blade front sight. The number “39” is stamped on the top of the barrel about 2” behind the front sight. Bore is clear with good rifling and light pitting. The original, steel, swelled-shank, tulip-head ramrod retains its threaded tip. All barrel bands are original and secured to the stock via flat iron springs. Buttplate is stamped “US”. Patch box in butt. All screw heads are in good shape.

Handsome black walnut stock is solid with no cracks or splits, only a few small dings. Wood surface is very good and smooth. Two oval government cartouches are visible on the flat. The number “16” is lightly stamped on the comb just forward of the butt plate tang.

A very good Harpers Ferry Model 1855 rifle-musket.  [jet]

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