Hello! New to the forum, just graduated from college and was hoping to find a Christmas present for myself. I am searching for something in the $800 to $1000 price range. I passed up an 1862 Springfield with bayonet in fairly good shape for $900 a couple days ago and don't want to miss out on another. Does anyone have anything available?
Welcome to CWT.
May I suggest that you postpone your purchase, at least for a while, and study the models you are interested in. Knowledge is a wonderful thing.
Several specific suggestions:
1. Search the past threads on this forum. You will find a wealth of information on virtually every weapon used in the Civil War, including much from who I feel confident in calling experts.
2. Buy a reference book or two. Those will be very helpful in spotting the little details on a gun that will help you determine if it is all original or made up of a bunch of various parts in the years after the war, or even worse, a fake.
3. Scan the various dealer websites (and there are many) for information. You can compare and learn as you do. It will also give you some idea of values and the factors that affect what you can expect to pay.
4. If you find a piece you are interested in, post it on this forum and get opinions from those who know before you make a purchase. You don't want to spend your hard-earned money on something that you will regret later.
Don't rush. There are plenty of Civil War muskets out there on the market, and you will enjoy the learning and searching.