Original U.S. Civil War Springfield Model 1863 Transitional Type Rifled Musket by Springfield Armory - dated 1864

Original Item: Only One Available. The Springfield Model 1863 rifled musket is a .58 caliber rifled musket produced by the Springfield Armory between 1863 and 1865. The Model 1863 was a minor improvement over the Springfield Model 1861. As such, it is sometimes classified as just a variant of the Model 1861. The Model 1861, with all of its variants, was the most commonly used longarm in the American Civil War, with over 700,000 manufactured. The Model 1863 also has the distinction of being the last muzzle-loading longarm produced by the Springfield Armory.

The Model 1863 was produced in two variants. The Type I eliminated the band springs and replaced the flat barrel bands with oval clamping bands. It also featured a new ramrod, a case-hardened lock, a new hammer, and a redesigned bolster (percussion chamber). Several of these modifications were based upon Colt's contract model 1861, known as the "Colt special". 273,265 Type I variants were manufactured in 1863.

The Type II is sometimes referred to as the Model 1864, but is more commonly referred to as just a variant of the Model 1863. This version re-introduced band springs, replaced the clamping bands with solid oval bands, and replaced the three leaf rear sight with single leaf sight. A total of 255,040 of these were manufactured from 1864 to 1865.

By the end of the Civil War, muzzle-loading rifles and muskets were considered obsolete. In the years following the Civil War, many Model 1863 muskets were converted into breech-loading "Trapdoor Springfields". The breech-loading weapons increased the rate of fire from 3 to 4 rounds per minute to 8 to 10 rounds per minute. The Model 1863 could be converted to breech-loading for about $5, at a time when a new rifle would cost about $20. The conversion of Model 1863 rifles therefore represented a significant cost savings to the U.S. military.

This very nice Transitional Type 1863 however escaped conversion, and is presented for sale in the original Civil War era configuration, looking to have seen long use during the conflict, and possibly afterwards. It has the band springs and solid bands of a type II, however it has the three leaf rear sight of a Type I, which is why we are calling it transitional. It is dated 1864 on the lock plate tail, and also has an Eagle stamped into the lock to the left of U.S. / SPRINGFIELD, indicating production at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, in Springfield, Massachusetts. The markings are still easily legible, though they are a bit worn, and the lock plate overall shows some past oxidation and peppering. It is still fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, and the main spring is strong.

The cap bolster Eagle marking is still mostly present, gut the top shows fouling and oxidation, as does the cap nipple cone, indicating that it did see a good amount of use while in service. The barrel stills shows VERY faint V over (Eagle's Head) proofs on the left facet of the breech, however the date is completely gone. The exterior surface of the barrel is dark and peppered, showing a good amount of exposure to the elements, and the rest of the metalwork is in similar condition, giving it a great "been there" look. We checked the bore of the barrel, and the three groove rifling is still easily visible, however there is also light overall past fouling and oxidation.

We checked, and the left side of the stock by the wrist still has TWO ordnance inspection cartouches, which are faint from wear and cleaning. The upper example is a "boxed" HTH cartouche, which is a known inspector of Civil War arms that has unfortunately not been identified. Lower to the right is a clear ESA oval cartouche, for Erskine. S. Allin, Master Armorer at Springfield Armory from 1853 until his death in 1879, as well as the designer of the trapdoor system. 

The one piece walnut stock is in very good service used condition, showing a dark red brown color from age and service. There are no major structural cracks, however there are some near the lock plate, as well as one running from the rear lock screw to the breech, a very common place to see this. There are also the usual dents, dings, and small gouges on the stock surface from use during a war. We can see some staining to the wood near the metal fittings from oxidation.

This gun still has the original rear sight, which is the three leaf type for the Type I muskets, having a 100 yard standard notch, with 300 and 500 yard flip up leaves, all of which are present and functional. The "barleycorn" front sight is in good shape, still firmly attached to the barrel. All barrel bands are U stamped, and the butt plate tang is correctly US stamped, also bearing some rack markings of C / 48 / 5. The hardware is relatively solid, and both sling swivels are present and move easily. The ramrod is the tulip type without an enlarged shank, correct for the model 1863, however the end with the threads was broken off long ago.

A very nice service used example, offered in lovely condition and still in the original percussion configuration. This would find a welcome home in any U.S. Civil War collection. Ready for display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1864
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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