My first CW Rifle: 1861-dated Springfield

[Missouri_8th_Infantry]

I decided a few months ago to make my home office Civil War-themed. As a centerpiece, I was looking for either a late production Springfield M1855 or an early Springfield M1861 rifle. While one never knows, I wanted a rifle with as high a probability of being issued and used in the field as possible, without it being a total rust bucket. After missing out on a couple of contract M1861s, I was able to purchase this mixed date (1861 lock plate / 1862 barrel) Springfield. Prior to 2014, this rifle was the property of the Greene Museum of Southern History, located in Phenix City, Alabama. Since the finish on the lock plate and the barrel is similar, and all parts are well fit and tight, this looks like a late 1861 or early 1862 build. Another possibility is that one of the two was replaced early on. There are two inspector's cartouches, although one is very, very faint and does not show well in pictures. The top cartouche looks like the 'HSH' for Henry S. Hill and the bottom one is clearly the 'ESA' mark of Erskine S. Allin. The metal has acquired a nice beige-brown patina over time. The bayonet is marked US with a small 'S' underneath, that I take to be 'Springfield'. I could not be happier with my purchase as the rifle looks to be well worn and does not seem to have been cleaned excessively.

 

[scooter748driver]

Very nice! Thank you for sharing.

 

[JOHN42768]

Looks very good. You have a lot of wall space to cover yet.

 

[UCVRelics]

Congrats on a VERY NICE Springfield. Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[Kyle Kalasnik]

That is a wicked piece you have there!

I'd love to get my hands on a 1861 Springfield. Pickings are slim and many that are out there are just rusted and beat to heck, which is not for me. No offense to those who opinions differ. Just have to keep my eyes open, one of these days I'll find one.

Do you have any other muzzleloaders? Or is the first of many more to come? Cause this is addicting.

 

[johan_steele]

Very nice. Keep in mind armorers didn't give two figs about keeping the dates or S/N together. They weren't collectors but men cgharged with inspecting, repairing, cleaning arms and getting them back into the hands of those who needed them.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

A very nice early War Springfield, and the age and wear on the parts visible in your photos looks to match well, always an important point.

 

[captaindrew]

Nice!

 

[Missouri_8th_Infantry]

Looks very good. You have a lot of wall space to cover yet.

I have a CW cartridge box, canteen, sword, currency, letters etc. on the other walls as well. I need to keep it nice and neat as I do sometimes have business associates visit. But yeah, the empty space is tempting

 

[Missouri_8th_Infantry]

That is a wicked piece you have there!

I'd love to get my hands on a 1861 Springfield. Pickings are slim and many that are out there are just rusted and beat to heck, which is not for me. No offense to those who opinions differ. Just have to keep my eyes open, one of these days I'll find one.

Do you have any other muzzleloaders? Or is the first of many more to come? Cause this is addicting.

This is the first firearm I've purchased that was manufactured pre-2012. I did have my eye on a Revolutionary War-era musket, but that would surely find me in the proverbial dog house with the missus!

 

[Kyle Kalasnik]

I have a CW cartridge box, canteen, sword, currency, letters etc. on the other walls as well. I need to keep it nice and neat as I do sometimes have business associates visit. But yeah, the empty space is tempting

Makes sense. Just use your best judgment and keep a professional office, then keep the rest in a safe.

 

[mofederal]

That is a very nice 1861 Springfield. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Hudson Valley Yank]

Thanks for sharing photos of that handsome weapon. 1861 Springfields were pressed into hard service and are scarce in very good condition like yours.

 

[bayonet]

Nice and they look better with a mounted bayonet. Running out of wall space in my office myself. Don't worry about the wife, you get your office and she is happy with the rest of the house.

 

[Kyle Kalasnik]

Nice and they look better with a mounted bayonet. Running out of wall space in my office myself. Don't worry about the wife, you get your office and she is happy with the rest of the

You have mentioned in previous threads about having the bayonet fixed when hanging it on the wall.

But I just put 2 and 2 together, your name, is that the reason? It finally clicked. Man I'm stupidly ignorant.

 

[Missouri_8th_Infantry]

Nice and they look better with a mounted bayonet. Running out of wall space in my office myself. Don't worry about the wife, you get your office and she is happy with the rest of the house.

I agree. I don't know if you guys feel the same, but there is something about the bayonet that almost legitimizes the rifle's danger.