Hi All, I have inherited a Civil War musket that was presumably used by one of my great great grandfathers who served in an Ohio regiment. The rifle came with original black sling, bayonet (fits the gun) and scabbard, belt and US buckle, cartridge box, and cap box. Today I stripped the gun, placed the barrel in a padded vice with the intent of removing the breech plug and nipple. To my amazement, both came out with only a slight tap with a rubber mallet on the wrenches. I shined a light down the bore and was nearly blinded - very clean and no evidence of chamber erosion or rust. I am very excited by the condition of this gun to say the least!
I had always assumed this was a Springfield 1861, but now I am almost positive that it is not. It is ~.558 caliber with a 37.25" barrel, 52.5" overall length. It appears to be bright steel with no trace of bluing, even in the area protected by the stock. All furniture is steel with no brass. It is a two band, not three band gun. There is no large US eagle on the right lock plate; there is a very small, .25" eagle at the rear of the lock plate. The lock plate is also stamped with 862 or 662. The top rear of the barrel is stamped with R E H D on top with E F O W I R L S underneath in a circular pattern. The underside of the barrel near the chamber (covered by the stock) is stamped with a V, an M and a .25" eagle. The flash chamber (correct term?) seems forged with the barrel - at least it does not have an obvious screw to attach it like the Springfield. The left side of the stock opposite the lock plate has a metal plate that holds the two bolts that attach to the lock plate. The rear sight is a single flip up with a groove on top and two "windows" inside. The stock has FF1862 on the bottom near the butt plate.
I have searched the net for pics and have seen nothing quite like this. Any ideas? Also,any reason to not shoot this gun - at least with mild ~40 gr loads?
I have some pics, but am not sure how to get them posted.
Thanks!
Dave
I had always assumed this was a Springfield 1861, but now I am almost positive that it is not. It is ~.558 caliber with a 37.25" barrel, 52.5" overall length. It appears to be bright steel with no trace of bluing, even in the area protected by the stock. All furniture is steel with no brass. It is a two band, not three band gun. There is no large US eagle on the right lock plate; there is a very small, .25" eagle at the rear of the lock plate. The lock plate is also stamped with 862 or 662. The top rear of the barrel is stamped with R E H D on top with E F O W I R L S underneath in a circular pattern. The underside of the barrel near the chamber (covered by the stock) is stamped with a V, an M and a .25" eagle. The flash chamber (correct term?) seems forged with the barrel - at least it does not have an obvious screw to attach it like the Springfield. The left side of the stock opposite the lock plate has a metal plate that holds the two bolts that attach to the lock plate. The rear sight is a single flip up with a groove on top and two "windows" inside. The stock has FF1862 on the bottom near the butt plate.
I have searched the net for pics and have seen nothing quite like this. Any ideas? Also,any reason to not shoot this gun - at least with mild ~40 gr loads?
I have some pics, but am not sure how to get them posted.
Thanks!
Dave
