This is an excellent example of the Brazilian Light Minie, or Model 1857 Rifle imported into the U.S. for the Civil War. The rifle is complete, all original, unfired, and shows wonderful surface and color to both wood and metal with tight fit, sharp edges and crisp markings. The barrel shows full coverage of original blue with just hint of rubbing to the edge of bayonet stud, top of the barrel forward of the lower band, and along the breech platform next to the hammer. The bands are in the bright; the band springs retain much of their blue. Both sights are in place, the rear sight showing just a little rubbing from movement of the slide. Lockplate and hammer are a mix of blue and caramel. The triggerguard, buttplate, and other brass elements, including the US shield on the wrist have a medium, untouched patina. The wood is likewise unmarred, has a warm brown color, great surface and crisp markings. It is no overstatement to say the rifle is unissued and it would be tough to find another nearly as nice.

These were made by several Liege gun makers for the Brazilian government and incorporate features of British arms (the lock, nipple and bolster, and .577 caliber,) French arms (barrel bands, rammer, bayonet stud and bayonet,) and Belgian (the rear sight- from the 1848 chasseur carbine.) Those imported to the U.S. were made by O.P. Drissen and Company, who apparently got a better price from American agents than the Brazilians. Some 4,000 to 6,000 are estimated to have been imported and marked with the addition of the brass shield escutcheon on the wrist bearing a U.S. eagle. There is still some debate on which American dealer imported them: Syrus, Pondir, and Garrison are three top contenders. The left breech shows a crisp Liege oval proof mark. The Drissen and Company mark of D /[Anchor] /C is visible on the lock, breech, hammer, butt plate, trigger guard tang, and wrist above the US eagle plaque. The bayonet stud bears a four digit mating number for a saber bayonet.

These rifles were issued and saw use. Some show up with Ohio markings. One appears in the trenches of Petersburg after it was taken by Union forces, lying just beyond a dead Confederate soldier.  [sr] [ph:L]

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