Old rifle identification help

[Jayboss1]

I rescued this old rifle from my grand dads garage. He found it in 1951 in the aftermath of a large flood here in Topeka Kansas. Its obviously seen better days and looks to be Civil War era. By looking at pictures in books I think its an 1853 British pattern Enfield but not entirely sure. I know I will get the answer here. Can anyone tell me for sure. If the pictures aren't adequate let me know if you need to see something more specific. Thanks guys!

 

[rob63]

Model 1861 Special. The rear sight gives it away.

 

[kevikens]

Now, that's a project.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

With all due respect, the rear sight is the same as on the 1863 Springfield. However the 1861 Special Model is correct as the real difference are in the shape of bolster on the barrel, the shallow notch for the bolster in the lock plate, and the hammer which is unique to the 1861 Special Model. If anything can be read on the lock plate it will be either: Colt; LG&Y, or Amoskeag, all of which had contracts for the 1861 Special Model Musket.

J.

 

[rob63]

With all due respect, the rear sight is the same as on the 1863 Springfield. However the 1861 Special Model is correct as the real difference are in the shape of bolster on the barrel, the shallow notch for the bolster in the lock plate, and the hammer which is unique to the 1861 Special Model. If anything can be read on the lock plate it will be either: Colt; LG&Y, or Amoskeag, all of which had contracts for the 1861 Special Model Musket.

J.

You are certainly correct, but you have misunderstood what I meant. The rear sight is not what identifies the gun, it is what makes it clear that it is not an Enfield, as the OP believed. I guess I should have been clearer.

 

[Jayboss1]

Model 1861 Special. The rear sight gives it away.

View attachment 53846

Thanks for the information. I knew I would get the answer on here. The coolest thing about the gun is it has the slight dent in the stock up where your non trigger hand would go to steady the rifle. Where repetition of a shooters hand gripping it has worn away a little of the wood. Telling me it was well used.