Tell me more! Original 1864 Springfield not rifled

[BugZND1887]

I am interested in buying this 1864 Springfield rifle but the owner says it is not rifled, I thought all of them were rifled. Here is some pics what do you guys think? He said he can't see very far in the bore, might it be to dirty to see the rifling?

 

[rob63]

They were rifled, but a great many of them were reamed out to be used as shotguns post-war. If those are the only pics he sent you, I would pass. Too many unknowns.

 

[captaindrew]

It could be too dirty and/or rusty to see it if he can't see far down the bore, looks pretty rough on the outside. Or as Rob said it could've been smoothed out to use as a shotgun post war, usually these were shortened also. Do you have more pics?

 

[zburkett]

The pitting on the barrel is much more pronounced than the hammer. Is the hammer a replacement? You didn't say what the asking price was or what you want it for. One of my favorite guns is a relic condition Smith I've had hanging in my living room for years. This might be a great conversation piece if the price is right.

 

[BugZND1887]

those are all the picture the guy is only 45 minutes away from me, met him at a gun show. Only wants 800$ What do you guys think? I am trying to find one I can go hunting with.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. I concur with the previous post.

 

[redbob]

With the wear that the rifle shows, perhaps the bore has just been shot out.

 

[zburkett]

From the way you describe the bore that would not make a good hunting rifle.

 

[BugZND1887]

The gentleman is older so I'm hoping he just could not see in the bore. I'll bring a caliper also to measure it. If this falls through what's a good place to get a 1861 Springfield? Been to all the gun shows for this year until fall already.

 

[James N.]

The gentleman is older so I'm hoping he just could see in the bore. I'll bring a caliper also to measure it. If this falls through what's a good place to get a 1861 Springfield? Been to all the gun shows for this year until fall already.

That's a somewhat marginal price, but overall a nice looking gun; you might want to see if he would take less...

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

You can use a small size flashlight to see the bore. The small mini-mag flashlights that take the AAA size battery are small enough to slide down the bore of these rifle-musket.
There are tens of thousands of these rifle-muskets still around, many of them in better shape than this one - I think you should look a bit more to get one that has strong, sharp rifling, and a good nipple, if you want to use it - these arms will shoot better than you can shoot if the bore is good, so why not get one with good rifling?

 

[BugZND1887]

I think ill go look at it this weekend and if it has a good bore and rifling ill most likely get it, if it doesn't ill pass.

 

[Craig L Barry]

If it had a good bore and rifling, it would be twice the price...it would be a decent wallhanger if that's what you are looking for.

 

[hrobalabama]

I had one in mint condition that I sold at the Nashville CW Expo for $1500. I would say $4-500 at the most.

 

[BugZND1887]

He sent me a picture of the bore and I couldn't make out any rifling and was pretty rusty so I passed on it. Still on the look out for one.Best place to find one?

 

[UCVRelics]

Welcome From THE Heart Of Dixie. The prices for yankke muskets has been falling over the last few year and from just the photos you posted I would pass as you can find a nicer one for about the same price.

 

[UCVRelics]

He sent me a picture of the bore and I couldn't make out any rifling and was pretty rusty so I passed on it. Still on the look out for one.Best place to find one?

The CW and gun shows would be the best place but our big Alabama Gun Collectors show next weekend was cancelled.

 

[BugZND1887]

The CW and gun shows would be the best place but our big Alabama Gun Collectors show next weekend was cancelled.

Well the problem is I live in North Dakota and there is no such shows in a reasonable distance to me. Most of them I see online are over priced. Any good websites?

 

[UCVRelics]

Well the problem is I live in North Dakota and there is no such shows in a reasonable distance to me. Most of them I see online are over priced. Any good websites?

I will give your best bet for a really nice one at a good price from a well respected member. paging @Lanyard Puller

 

[BugZND1887]

I will give your best bet for a really nice one at a good price from a well respected member. paging @Lanyard Puller

Well thanks guys for helping out a newbie, I'll send him a message. Thanks everyone who responded!