1864 Springfield Musket question

Cav Trooper

Cadet
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
I have a friend who acquired an 1864 Springfield Musket that he was going to sell at a local gun show. A gentleman came by to look and specifically was looking for a US stamp on the butt plate. I also have a 1864 which does not have a US stamp on the butt plate. I can not find any reference to such a stamp on any description of the 1864/1863 type II muskets. Can any one explain the significants or existence of such a mark?
Thanks,
CT
 
Cav. Trooper - Welcome to one of the most informative and non-confrontational sites on the internet! All Springfield made 1863 & 1864 Model muskets will have a butt plate with a "US" stamped on the upper tang above the mounting screw. There are numerous butt plates without a "US" from an assortment of 1861 Models made by various contractors during the Civil War. These parts are interchangeable with the Springfield made butt plates. Because of the interchangeability of parts many of the muskets that surface today have a mixture of parts. As an example, I recently visited a local Cabela's where they had an original "Model 1864 Springfield" for sale. It was actually a Model 1864 stock and lock plate with a Model 1861 barrel and hammer. They swore up and down that it was correct in every aspect and in "as-issued" configuration!
J.
 
I think the reason he might have been looking for the "US" stamp, which as Jobe points out support that it was most likely an Armory (vs commercial contractor) made version. Actually, many of the commercial contractors stamped "US" on top of the butt plate tang, too but certainly all US Armory-made pieces. In contrast if it was made by the Confederate Armory it was stamped "THEM." No, sorry that's an old joke. As Jobe points out, a number of surviving Civil War arms of US manufacture are "put togethers" of disassociated parts, which because the parts and components are mostly interchangeable can be used to produce a functional arm.

From a collectors standpoint though, obviously a "put together" (if you can identify it as such) is less valuable.
 
All Springfield made 1863 & 1864 Model muskets will have a butt plate with a "US" stamped on the upper tang above the mounting screw.

Welcome to the forum From The Heart Of The Freezing South. Jobe is correct in the aspect of the US on the butt plate. These muskets had all kinds of markings that can help answer your questions. The cartouche on the stocks, the inspectors marks on the barrel bands etc. Here is an excellent link to Harry Ridgeways site that will answer all of your question on this musket.

http://www.relicman.com/weapons/Weapon1510.html
 
I have a friend who acquired an 1864 Springfield Musket that he was going to sell at a local gun show. A gentleman came by to look and specifically was looking for a US stamp on the butt plate. I also have a 1864 which does not have a US stamp on the butt plate. I can not find any reference to such a stamp on any description of the 1864/1863 type II muskets. Can any one explain the significants or existence of such a mark?
Thanks,
CT
If the piece is from the Springfield Armory, then it most certainly should have a US stamped on the buttplate. Many weapons that were improperly stored in damp basements in the past 150+ years, propped in a corner will have plate issues and some will acquire a buttplate and replace for esthetics.
 
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If the piece is from the Springfield Armory, then it most certainly should have a US stamped on the buttplate. Many weapons that were improperly stored in damp basements in the past 150+ years, propped in a corner will have plate issues and some will acquire a buttplate and replace fro esthetics.

Thanks to all of you for your information. Are there sources for part for these rifles? If decides to keep his musket, it will need a ramrod and at least a barrel band.

CT
 
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M1855 & M1864.JPG
Thanks to all of you for your information. Are there sources for part for these rifles? If decides to keep his musket, it will need a ramrod and at least a barrel band.

CT
My go to vendors... I've had the most luck w/ Lodgewood but have found some gems at Regimental QM. There are others but these are who I have had success w/ in the past. Good luck.

http://www.lodgewood.com/M186364-Springfield_c_30.html

http://www.ssfirearms.com/categories.asp?cat=158

http://www.regtqm.com/category-s/105.htm?searching=Y&sort=5&cat=105&show=100&page=1

https://dixiegunworks.com/
 
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