Of the 60,000 flintlock muskets inventoried by the Confederate States Ordnance Department in the Richmond Arsenal at the start of the Civil War, many are believed to have been Virginia Manufactory arms. 50,00 muskets were issued in flintlock configuration between April – November of 1861. Contracts were later given to private firms to convert those arms to percussion as they were recalled from the field and then reissued to Virginia and C.S. government troops.

This musket is one that has been converted to percussion. It has a 42 inch barrel with a nice smooth brown patina over its surface. There is some pitting in the area of the nipple but the rest of the barrel has only minor scattered pinprick pitting. Bayonet lug is present at top of the muzzle. Original nipple is present on top of the barrel at breech. The large wide hammer matches the barrel in patina. Smooth bore is dark and dirty.

The patina on the lock plate matches that on the hammer and barrel. Plate has a beveled edge with a rounded front and terminates in an even point at rear. Forward of the hammer is the filled brass pan. Lock is marked forward of the hammer with “VIRGINIA” over the word “MANUFACTORY” done in script. Behind the hammer is “RICHMOND” over “1819.” Action works properly. Lock surface has minor amounts of surface pitting.

Walnut stock is in very nice condition and has been lightly cleaned. There is one small chip in the wood behind the barrel tang and a tiny closed crack at rear of the lock. The rest of the stock is in very good condition. Ramrod channel edges are good with only minor signs of wear. Center of right cheek has a gauge and faint initials “N. W.” Forward of the trigger guard the wood is carved with the initials “R. E.” The stock also shows some of the usual ding, dents and scratches from age, use and storage.

All three iron barrel bands are present with the front band being double. Band springs and both sling swivels are present. Ramrod is full length with threads at bottom. Head is trumpet shaped with a bevel just below the face.

The trigger guard, escutcheon, two of the three barrel bands are stamped with the number “83.”  [ad] [ph:L]

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