Original U.S. Civil War Springfield Model 1861 Contract Rifled Musket by Bridesburg Machine Works with Soldier Added Stock Inlays - Dated 1863

Original Item: Only One Available. The Springfield Model 1861 was a Minié-type rifled musket shoulder-arm used by the United States Army and Marine Corps during the American Civil War. Commonly referred to as the "Springfield" (after its original place of production, Springfield, Massachusetts), it was the most widely used U.S. Army weapon during the Civil War, favored for its range, accuracy, and reliability.

The barrel was 40 inches long, firing a .58 caliber Minié ball, and the total weight was approximately 9 pounds. The Springfield had an effective range of 200 to 300 yards, and used percussion caps to fire (rather than the flintlocks of the 18th century, the last U.S. flintlock musket was the Model 1840). Trained troops were able to fire at a rate of three aimed shots per minute while maintaining accuracy up to 500 yards, though firing distances in the war were often much shorter. The most notable difference between the Model 1861 and the earlier Model 1855 was the elimination of the Maynard tape primer for the Model 1861 (the Maynard primer, a self-feeding primer system, was unreliable in damp weather, and the priming mechanism was expensive and time-consuming to produce). Further, unlike the Model 1855, the Model 1861 was never produced in a two-banded "short rifle" configuration.

The Springfield was aimed using flip-up leaf sights. The sight had two leaves, one for 300 yards and the other for 500 yards, and with both leaves down, the sight was set for a range of 100 yards. By contrast, the British Pattern 1853 Enfield, favored by the Confederates, utilized a ladder-sight system with 100 yard increments, using steps from 100 to 400 yards and a flip up ladder for ranges beyond 500 yards. While the Enfield's sights did allow finer range settings, the Springfield's simple leaves were more rugged and were less expensive to produce. The Enfield's sights extended to 900 yards (and further, on later models), compared to the 500 yard maximum range of the Springfield's sights. Realistically, though, hitting anything beyond 600 yards with either weapon was mostly a matter of luck. While the sight designs were very different, the two weapons were otherwise very similar, and had very similar effective ranges.

The Springfield Rifle cost $20 each at the Springfield Armory, where they were officially made. Overwhelmed by the demand, the armory opened its weapons patterns up to twenty private contractors, including Bridesburg Machine Works, located in the Bridesburg section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company manufactured cotton and wool carding spinning and weaving machinery, shafting, and millgearing. Established in 1819 by Alfred Jenks, the factory was quite large, having expanded in 1853, and they were the largest private contractor for Model 1861 muskets. At the time the company was run by Alfred Jenks & Son, and they received an initial contract for 25,000 Model 1855 Muskets, but made and delivered Model 1861 muskets. The contract was doubled and these began to arrive in early 1862. Later a second contract for 50.000 was received in 1863, of which 48,000 were delivered, bringing the total to 98,000. As best we can tell these were all in the Model 1861 configuration.

The Model 1861 was relatively scarce in the early years of the Civil War (many troops were still using Model 1842 smoothbored muskets and Model 1816/1822 muskets converted to percussion cap primers, both in .69 caliber). It is unlikely that any of these were available for use in the First Battle of Bull Run. However, over time, more and more regiments began receiving Model 1861 rifled muskets, though this upgrade appeared somewhat quicker in the Eastern Theater of Operations. Over 1,000,000 Model 1861 rifles were produced, with the Springfield Armory increasing its production during the war by contracting out to twenty other firms in the Union. The number of Model 1861 muskets produced by the Springfield Armory was 265,129 between January 1, 1861 and December 31, 1863. According to United States Muskets, Rifles and Carbines by Arcadi Gluckman Colonel Infantry, United States Army, published 1949.

After the war ended, many model 1861 and 1863 rifled muskets were modified to a breech loading actions with new metallic cartridges. With these modifications, the basic 1861 evolved into the Springfield Model 1873 which served the US until being replaced in the 1890s by modern breech loading rifles chambered for new smokeless powder rounds that were far superior to the Model 1873.

This great however was not converted, and is still in the original configuration, looking to have seen light to moderate service during the war, after which it was well cared for. Stamped on lockplate in front of hammer is a spread winged Federal Eagle, and just forward is the maker marking:-

U S
BRIDESBURG

It is dated 18634 on the lock plate tail, and the markings on the lock are clear and overall the lock plate is in very good condition, especially considering the age, with just some staining. The barrel nocks form still shows clear V / P / Eagle's Head proof marks, while the date on the top of the barrel is not present. We checked the left side of the stock (counterplane), and there are two "boxed" cartouches present, one under the rear lock screw, which is too faint to read, and one farther rear, which is a clear FR, for known Bridesburg inspector Franklin Root. The butt plate is US marked, and all three barrel bands have the correct U stamps. The rifle retains the correct original three leaf 100/300/500 yard rear sight, which still moves easily.

The one piece walnut stock shows the lovely red-brown color of aged and oiled walnut, showing the expected dents, dings, scratches and other wear seen on a rifled musket that served in a war. There is no major damage we can see such as cracks or structural damage, just a small rectangular repair in the middle of the butt stock's right side. There is also a small rectangular nickel silver inlay near the butt plate, while the left side of the butt plate has an inlaid steel oval showing various star shaped holes.

The metalwork on the rifle is lovely, still very close to the original bright finish, particularly on the barrel. The rest shows some light staining, but no major rust or peppering, and really has a great look. There is some powder burn around the cap nipple cone bolster, and the nipple cone itself has been replaced. The bolster cleanout screw is present and easily removed, though the slot is definitely a bit deformed. The lock functions, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full. We checked the bore, and it still shows the three-groove rifling clearly, with a partly bright finish showing some past fouling and oxidation. particularly near the muzzle. We estimate it saw only light service, and was cleaned after use. Both sling swivels are present and move easily. The ramrod is the correct and original tulip type with an enlarged shank, and the threads at the end are still present.  Both sling swivels are still present and move easily.

This is a great chance to pick up an great honestly used example of a Civil War Contract Rifled musket, ready to research and display!

Specifications (Rifle):-

Year of Manufacture: 1863
Caliber: .58"
Cartridge Type: Minié Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 40 Inches
Overall Length: 56 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

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