This Civil War era single-shot muzzleloader is a .58 caliber Springfield Model 1855 percussion rifle-musket in very good overall condition. Longarm has a 40” round barrel with broad three-groove rifling. Barrel is secured to the stock with three-barrel bands and three band springs. Furniture is iron including the lock plate, hammer, butt plate, trigger guard, swivels and ramrod. The nose cap is iron, which was changed in 1859 from brass. All gun metal parts are bright and clean but have scattered areas of darker spotting.

All lock plate stampings sharp and clear and show the large spread-winged eagle on the kidney-shaped, hinged primer door, along with the date “1859” deeply stamped behind the large, high spur hammer. Large eagle motif on door is still high in detail, including stripes on shield and feathers. Lock plate marked with the “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD” forward of the hammer. Barrel breech area has clear date “1859” visible. The eagle head and proof marks are visible on the left barrel facet.

Beveled lock plate is fitted with a C-shaped hammer and with the Maynard tape priming system. This system employed a waterproof roll of paper percussion caps.  Inserted into the primer magazine, a cap was fed onto the nipple when the hammer was pulled back. Tape priming system mechanics operate well. Hammer has a knife-edged, bottom lip that severed the expended portion of the tape.

Musket has a regular rear leaf-sight and an iron blade front sight. Mechanics crisp and tight. Bore is clear and bright with good rifling. The original, steel, swelled-shank, tulip-head ramrod still retains threaded end. Butt plate is stamped “US”.

Black walnut stock has attractive dark color. Looks to have been refinished. A hairline crack runs from back of lock plate up and behind hammer. There are none of the usual dings and dents evident. Wood surface is smooth. No government cartouches are visible on the left flat, however the initial “A” is carved on there.

A very nice Springfield Model 1855 rifle-musket dated 1859. [jet] [ph:L]

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