This Civil War era single-shot muzzleloader is a .58 caliber Harpers Ferry Model 1855 percussion rifle-musket. 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 furniture is iron including the lockplate, hammer, bolster, butt plate, trigger guard, swivels and ramrod save the brass nose cap which changed to iron in 1859. All gunmetal is overall dark in color with spotted patches and areas of pitting.

Bore is dark and dirty. Rifling still appears strong. Musket originally had a large long range rear sight that is missing. There is an iron lug/blade front sight. 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. Butt plate is stamped “US”.

All lockplate stampings are strong: the large spread-winged eagle on the kidney-shaped primer door, the date “1858” stamped behind the high spur hammer, and the “U.S. / HARPERS FERRY” forward of the hammer. Barrel breech area is heavily pitted with no date visible. The eagle head and proof marks are visible on the left facet. Original nipple. Hammer/trigger mechanics operate well.

The Maynard tape priming 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 still operate. Hammer has a knife-edged, bottom lip that severed the expended portion of the tape.

Black walnut stock shows moderate to heavy use. No cracks or splits but there is a small chunk missing behind the hammer at the breech. No government cartouches. Nice original color and patina.

An original, well-used Harpers Ferry Model 1855 rifle-musket.  [jet] [ph:L]

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!