This Model 1841 rifle was made by Remington and bears his lockplate markings with an 1849 date and matching 1849 date on the barrel. Remington took over a contract for the rifle held by John Griffiths of Cincinnati in 1845, but had trouble tooling up and did make deliveries until 1850, but his rifles are known with 1849 and even 1848 dates. In this case the rifle was one of 5,000 held at the Watervliet Arsenal in New York in 1861 that were sent back to Remington for alteration to accept a bayonet. Not enough saber bayonets were available and some 1,600 were then altered by Frederick Grosz of New York to take a socket bayonet by turning down the muzzle, attaching a stud to the bottom of the barrel and fitting a new, small front sight. Others were likely done as well since the state reported 2180 of them in the hands of NY regiments in the Union army in December 1862.

This is a nice example of one of these guns that was captured or collected by CS Ordnance teams or civilians and placed into the Confederate cleaning and repair (“C&R”) system for reissue to Confederate troops. Some 200,000 firearms, along with perhaps another 50,000 turned in by CS units, mostly in the eastern theatre, are estimated to have gone through the process at Danville, Staunton, Lynchburg, and Richmond. This rifle bears a CS final inspector’s stamp, “Q,” just forward of the triggerguard tang. The identity of the individual inspector is unknown. Some theorize the letter may be a real initial, but it could be an assigned letter. In any case, the number and variety of guns bearing the mark point to someone working at the Richmond Arsenal/Artillery Workshop.

The lockplate markings “US / 1849” are clear; the Remington markings however are somewhat faint as can be seen in the photograph below;  lockplate has the mottled gray, brown and faint blue colors of old case hardening. The wood has good, deep color overall and good edges. The patchbox still has a spare nipple inside. The buttstock shows a small ding on the right comb. The forestock is very good, but shows some dings and divots on the right starting about half way between the bands. The left butt flat shows a few handling dings and the left wrist shows some dings and divots along the edges, but also faint cartouches. The hammer has good color and the bolster like the lockplate is smooth and without pitting. The barrel has lots of old blue turned plum brown and clear US/SK/P barrel proofs at left breech and clear 1849 date on the breechplug tang, matching the lock. The brass mounts have an even, medium patina throughout. The buttplate tang has a clear US and an “A / 66” rack number. The patchbox cover fits tightly and closes fine. The rod, bands, springs and swivels are in place. The original notched rear sight is in place. This is a nice Mississippi Rifle that nevertheless saw service in the field and at some point changed hands among combatants, moving from a New Yorker to a lucky Confederate.  [sr]

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