1864 springfield

[Gunnut]

Hello, I'm new to civil war weapons and was thinking about buying an 1864 Springfield. This rifle is in excellent condition, but has no markings at all on the barrel. Is this possible, or is it a reproduction? All the repros I have seen are marked with the makers name and black powder only. This has nothing, could it be authentic? I would think it should have at least a proof mark. I'd appreciate any help on this. Thanks.

 

[chellers]

Welcome to CivilWarTalk.

Please post some photographs so forum experts can identify the weapon.

 

[rob63]

It should have a "V", "P", and the head of an eagle on the left breech flat, and the date "1864" on the top breech flat. If the rifle is in otherwise excellent condition, then it is likely that it has been polished very heavily and the markings were removed in the process. If it were me, I would pass on it and look for something that hasn't been messed with. They are not that hard to find. Here are what the breech markings should look like:

 

[kevikens]

It may be a Bannerman "cadet musket". He scrubbed these barrels pretty smooth to make them bright as they would be used for little more than drill and dress parades. Military academy high schools became quite common in the late 1800's and Bannerman was delighted to supply those schools with surplus muskets, often times lightened by having some of the wood shaved off the stocks. They may be shunned by purists collectors as uncollectable but many of them were carried in numerous battles during the war and then a bit later served another useful role. If it is such a relic and can be picked up cheaply, say $250 to $300, I'd gladly have it in my collection.

 

[Old Hickory]

Pictures would help a lot here. Could be a "shooter's" barrel also. A new cottage industry barrel replacing a bored out or rusted original for N-SSA competition.