This Civil War longarm is a .58 Caliber “Springfield” Model 1863 type II aka the Model 1864. It is a single shot muzzle loader in 100% complete in fine "attic" condition. The Springfield Model 1863/64 rifle- musket was a government arsenal product from the Springfield Arsenal in Springfield Massachusetts where over a quarter million arms were produced 1861 to 1865. The 40-inch barrel exterior has not been cleaned and exhibits a mellow age brown patina. There is some very minor "peppering" to the breech area around nipple. Showing through the metal surfaces are areas of the bright original finish. The rifling is very good. The breech marks visible “VP” with eagle and breech date of “1864” are sharp. The typical flip up leaf rear sight and single edge front blade sight are intact. The lock plate has a patina that matches the barrel; with the American winged spread Eagle forward and forward of this is "US" over "Springfield”. The eagle on bolster, and lock plate markings are all sharp. All three barrels are present and marked with letter “U.” Both sling swivels and the original threaded ramrod are present. The mechanics are sharp and crisp. The dark walnut stock is very fine and has minor “dings” and otherwise sharp edges. There are 2 worn but visible US government armory inspector stamps on the flat opposite the lock plate. The butt plate is stamped "US".

Stamped in front of the iron trigger guard is a Confederate C & R stamping "Z". This is identified as one of the C&R alphabet letters. Steven Knott identified these alphabet capital letters as belonging to CS Ordnance inspectors. In his 2019 book “Captured and Collected Confederate Reissued Firearms” he breaks it all down. It should be said that decades before Mr. Knott did his research old school collectors were well aware that the letters consistently seen on firearms including pistols were of Confederate origin. Mr. Knott who put it all "to pen" estimated that as many as 200,000 firearms gathered by CS Ordnance teams or civilians were placed into the Confederate cleaning and repair (“C&R”) system for reissue to Confederate troops, along with perhaps another 50,000 turned in by Confederate units. Most of these were in the eastern theatre, where Confederate victories left battlefields in southern hands, and the guns went through the process at Danville, Staunton, Lynchburg, or Richmond. Knott’s original catalog of five letter marks designating different inspectors (A,F,Q,T,Z) has expanded to include a “D” and also “&”.  This “Z.” stamp is associated with Capt. Louis Zimmer, who supervised the weapon recycling operation in Richmond from late 1864 to 1865.

On the left side of the butt stock is a Civil War applied cardboard tag that measures 4 3/4 inches by 3/4 of an inch. It is held in place by 2 iron hand cut rose head tacks and reads. "Captured Musket Ewell's Surrender April 6, 1865". This is handwritten, faded but legible. The information tells us the weapon was captured at Sailor's Creek after the fall Petersburg and Richmond; here Ewell's Corps surrendered almost to a man! Please view this link (Battle of Sailor's Creek - Wikipedia). This historic rifle-musket has been in one of the finest Confederate collections in this country for decades. It is museum quality.  [pe][ph:L]

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