I picked this Springfield 1861 up from a local college kid recently who wanted to sell it for funds for a Glock. I know "buy the rifle not the story" but the story is that his great grandfather left it to him and that his great grandfather had originally gotten from a female friend who lived a little east of us near Gettysburg - it was found on their farm. Don't know if it's true but I wanted to show the rifle to you all and see how I did - Picked it up for under $500 so I figured that it was a safe purchase and everything checked out when I looked it over.
I already have an excellent condition original Springfield 1863 so was excited to have one that shows actual use - and this one does. All the metal that was exposed has turned to a chocolate color - it's not rusted and there is actually very little pitting - it's just a smooth chocolate metal color with some minor pin prick pitting. Under the stock and under the bands is still bright and shiny (see the one pic). The little bit of pitting is near the breach area, around the cone/nipple and right where the date and VP Eagle markings are - other than that everything else is nice and smooth. The VP Eagle marking is still visible but I can't make out a date. Buttplate is marked US and all bands are stamped "U". All the screw easily turn and the sights flip easily. I did notice that the rear sling swivel was reversed but it looks like it's been that way for a long time and I've read where it's fairly common to find them reversed. The only sign of damage or abuse is at, what I would call, the rear tang...it's bent up towards the middle...not terribly but it's noticeable (see pics). Any idea what that could be from?
So what do you guys think? How did I do? It looks pretty much all original to me and non messed with (without the cleaning rod of course). I've already got a pretty one and I'm hoping this can be my all original "battlefield" piece!
I already have an excellent condition original Springfield 1863 so was excited to have one that shows actual use - and this one does. All the metal that was exposed has turned to a chocolate color - it's not rusted and there is actually very little pitting - it's just a smooth chocolate metal color with some minor pin prick pitting. Under the stock and under the bands is still bright and shiny (see the one pic). The little bit of pitting is near the breach area, around the cone/nipple and right where the date and VP Eagle markings are - other than that everything else is nice and smooth. The VP Eagle marking is still visible but I can't make out a date. Buttplate is marked US and all bands are stamped "U". All the screw easily turn and the sights flip easily. I did notice that the rear sling swivel was reversed but it looks like it's been that way for a long time and I've read where it's fairly common to find them reversed. The only sign of damage or abuse is at, what I would call, the rear tang...it's bent up towards the middle...not terribly but it's noticeable (see pics). Any idea what that could be from?
So what do you guys think? How did I do? It looks pretty much all original to me and non messed with (without the cleaning rod of course). I've already got a pretty one and I'm hoping this can be my all original "battlefield" piece!