This Civil War era single-shot muzzleloader is a .58 caliber Harpers Ferry Model 1855 percussion rifle-musket in excellent overall condition.

Longarm has a 40” round barrel with broad three-groove rifling. Barrel is secured to the stock with three-barrel bands and band springs. Barrel breech area clean with minor oxidation and exhibits a strong, sharp date “1858” on the flat. Also, strong proof marks visible on the barrel left facet. Original nipple and bolster. Furniture is iron including the lockplate, hammer, bolster, buttplate, triggerguard, swivels, and ramrod. The nose cap is brass, which was changed to iron in 1859. All gunmetal has been lightly cleaned and exhibits just small areas of fine “rusty” finger prints on the barrel. All metal has semi-bright tone.

Lockplate stampings sharp and clear and show the large spread-winged eagle on the front-hinged primer door and the date “1858” stamped behind the large spur hammer. “US” / HARPERS FERRY” forward of the hammer. Beveled lockplate is fitted with a C-shaped hammer, and with the Maynard tape priming system. 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 strong and smooth. Hammer has a knife-edge lip that severed the expended portion of the tape. Musket has a large long range rear sight graduated to 800 yards and an iron blade front sight atop a bayonet lug.

Mechanics crisp and tight. Bore is bright with good rifling. The steel, swelled-shank, tulip-head ramrod is original and retains its threaded tip.

Black walnut stock is solid with no cracks or splits. Wood surface exhibits wonderful color and finish. There are a few dings and small scratches scattered around. Two nice government cartouches and a set of inspector’s initials are visible on the flat. Unfortunately, two of the deepest scratches are also on this flat.

A very fine, seldom-seen Harpers Ferry Model 1855 rifle-musket of the Civil War era.  [jet][ph:L]

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