Source for repro 1855 Springfield?

[Kevin P]

I did a little research and found that the First Colorado Volunteers reenactors strongly recommend the 1855 Springfield rifle for their unit (presumably because they were the most common long arm the unit used at the battle of Glorieta Pass). While I've seen tons of 1861 Springfields for sale, I haven't seen many 1855 repros. Is there a good source for these? Thanks.

Kevin

 

[johan_steele]

There is no "good" source. I would suggest a custom build from Lodgewood or Todd Watts.

It's also advisable to ask the unit where they get theirs. But I also suspect I would be asking them where the got the information that the M1855 was the primary arms of the unit. Their answer may speak volumes about the quality of the unit.

 

[dahenry]

Kevin, just in case you decide to go after one, here is an interesting forum with a discussion on the 1855. I've also been looking through the relevant volumes of the Official Records to see if I can find anything on the weapons issued to the Colorado volunteers; so far, it seems probable that they came from the Leavenworth Arsenal, but haven't really nailed it down yet.
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?19681-1855-Springfield-Use

Dave

 

[Youngblood]

Find a dealer who can order from Chiappa firearms. Probbably run around $850

 

[Jobe Holiday]

I think there is a bit of confusion here. Is the arm in question a Harper's Ferry RIFLE, or a Harper's Ferry/Springfield RIFLE MUSKET?
J.

 

[Craig L Barry]

Yeah, I am reading this and thinking the same thing...what are we talking about here? The rifle or the rifle-musket? The US 1855 was the seminal version of what became an evolving design. And that design became one of the most common infantry arms of the Civil War-era (the US Model 1861). For whatever reason, there are really not any accurate reproductions of the US 1855 rifle musket and there are none currently offered of the two band rifle. Hence, my best advice would be to steer clear of the Armi Sport versions. They are not "great" in terms of historical feature accuracy.

If you simply must have a US 1855 either spring for a custom made or go with a "put together" made up of mostly original parts...that would be the best way to go. That was the conclusion reached in The Civil War Musket: A Handbook for Historical Accuracy, which had a detailed section on the US 1855.

 

[Legion Para]

Yeah, I am reading this and thinking the same thing...what are we talking about here? The rifle or the rifle-musket? The US 1855 was the seminal version of what became an evolving design. And that design became one of the most common infantry arms of the Civil War-era (the US Model 1861). For whatever reason, there are really not any accurate reproductions of the US 1855 rifle musket and there are none currently offered of the two band rifle. Hence, my best advice would be to steer clear of the Armi Sport versions. They are not "great" in terms of historical feature accuracy.

If you simply must have a US 1855 either spring for a custom made or go with a "put together" made up of mostly original parts...that would be the best way to go. That was the conclusion reached in The Civil War Musket: A Handbook for Historical Accuracy, which had a detailed section on the US 1855.

Excellent advice from a gentleman who is well respected in the Reenactment/Living History community.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

OK, I see the title is now "1855 Springfield". That is the Rifle Musket, and like Craig Barry said there is no adequate reproduction available. The only one offered is the ArmiSport Chiappa product which has an incorrect rear sight. The sight they used is for the M1842 Rifled Musket, which is longer and higher than the M-1855 Rifle Musket. Personally I would watch the N-SSA bulletin board where you can occasionally find one built up from a mixture of original and reproduction parts. Although, it won't be cheap because their arms will usually have competition grade barrels on them.
J.

 

[dahenry]

Kevin,

Is this where you found the information on the 1st Colorado?
"Minimum Required Weapon &c. Buy one. The model 1855 ("type I" or "type II") should be your first choice. A. Rifle-Musket: Model of 1855 Springfield (.58 cal) This was the issue weapon for the First Colorado Volunteers. Buy this weapon if at all possible. The most economical way to get one is to have Tim Oakes retrofit the Euroarms 1861 Springfield reproduction for you. There are two types of the model 1855, but either will work just fine (the basic differences are in the nosecap, front sight, and cap box in the stock). 1. S&S Firearms 2. John G. Zimmerman 3. Lodgewood Manufacturing B. Rifle-Musket: Model of 1861 Springfield (.58 cal) Euroarms: Carried by most sutlers, this product features one-piece walnut stock, correct lock and barrel. All stampings on barrel, lock, barrel bands, and tang of buttplate. Correct "swell" to ramrod, although not as good as the originals. Modern stampings on barrel and trigger guard tang should be filed off. 1. Lodgewood Manufacturing 2. John G. Zimmerman 3. S&S Firearms"
Since the above was from an old pdf file I looked to see if they were still in business and it appears that they are - http://www.spiralspecs.com/firstco/Unithistory.html
I think I talked to them about joining once at Four Mile Historic Park ( back in the eighties), but life intervened and I never did.
As far as the 1st Colorado in 1862, it appears that they received their weapons at Fort Union in March: "The regiment remained at Fort Union until the 22d of March, undergoing in the meantime almost daily drilling, Here, also, the men were completely supplied and equipped with regulation clothing, arms and ammunition from the government stores." (from The Battle of Glorieta Pass, The Colorado Volunteers in the Civil War, William C. Whitford, page 79).
I also found that the ordnance department at Fort Union had received shipments of the 1855 model Springfields: "The ordnance depot received a shipment of 1,100 "new model rifled muskets' (.58 caliber, designed to be used with the Maynard primers) in 1858. They were known to be defective and the hammers were to be altered by the ordnance detachment at Fort Union before they were issued.", when they started overhauling them, they found even more problems: rust, the screws fastening the rear sights were too long and caused a "bulge on the inside of the barrel", and some of the crates shipped from Harper's Ferry arrived damaged. But apparently all were repaired and ready for issue in early December 1858.
This information is in the National Park Service publication - "Fort Union, Historic Resource Study" here: https://www.nps.gov/foun/learn/management/upload/FOUNandFrontierArmyOfSW-2.pdf
However, it seems highly unlikely that these rifles would have been around for the Colorado volunteers to use in 1862, as they were intended for the regular infantry stationed in the southwest. There could have been more shipments I suppose but that would have been difficult after the war began since all the states were trying to beg, borrow or steal weapons of any description. I'll try emailing the above site and see if they can tell me where they got the information on the 1855 Springfields.

Dave

 

[JAGwinn]

Awesome, dahenry!

 

[Package4]

Wow when one talks about the cap box in the stock, you really have to wonder about the authenticity of the unit.............but "Far be it" for me to cast judgement........

 

[Jobe Holiday]

The last version of the 1855 Rifle Musket actually had a patch box (unfortunately often referred to as a cap box) in the butt stock the same as the Harper's Ferry 1855 Rifle.
J.

 

[todd watts]

It is indeed a terribly under represented model, and the Armi 1855 is merely their 1861 with a slightly altered lock plate design and a faux Maynard door on it. I have "defarbed" a couple of them but only as far as stripping and oiling the wood and removing farb tags on the barrel goes. There is nothing that can be done realistically to create a real Maynard system in that lock. A rear sight could be added and a patchbox inletted to it, but the issue has not really come up to force me to seriously consider it. As far as "the 15' rule" it suffices but it is not much better than claiming one's Zuove is a MS rifle.

 

[Package4]

I believe that Zimmerman make a fully functional '55 lock........

 

[dahenry]

JAGwinn,

Thanks for the kind comment. I appreciate it.

Dave

 

[Legion Para]

I believe that Zimmerman make a fully functional '55 lock........

John Zimmerman's website:

http://harpersferrycivilwarguns.com/services

Model 1855 Second Pattern Harpers Ferry rifled musket. Cal. .58. Lockplated dated "Harpers Ferry 1859." Fully operational Maynard primer. All correct proofmarks; defarbed by John Zimmerman. Armi Sport manufacture. While this example is sold, send us your rifle, and we will set up a working Maynard tape system on it for $700.00 plus shipping/handling. Who else does a Maynard tape system? It is about a week's worth of smithing, but well worth the effort.

 

[Legion Para]

Yeah, I am reading this and thinking the same thing...what are we talking about here? The rifle or the rifle-musket? The US 1855 was the seminal version of what became an evolving design. And that design became one of the most common infantry arms of the Civil War-era (the US Model 1861). For whatever reason, there are really not any accurate reproductions of the US 1855 rifle musket and there are none currently offered of the two band rifle. Hence, my best advice would be to steer clear of the Armi Sport versions. They are not "great" in terms of historical feature accuracy.

If you simply must have a US 1855 either spring for a custom made or go with a "put together" made up of mostly original parts...that would be the best way to go. That was the conclusion reached in The Civil War Musket: A Handbook for Historical Accuracy, which had a detailed section on the US 1855.

 

[Craig L Barry]

So, just for one example...look at the images of the Zimmerman repro US 1855 with functioning tape primer lock (above), which is nicely done. Note the flash shield behind the cone in the bolster area. The US model 1855 did not have that. The hump portion of the lock plate negated the need for that. That flash shield was a feature beginning with the US model 1861.

 

[todd watts]

I've messed with one of Zimmerman's '55 locks and it is very well made. Of course, however, it begs the question as to why go through that expense of getting a fully functional Maynard primer lock, much less the trouble of making one when there are no Maynard tapes to use? Aside from simply being able to look at it and go "wow" it serves no purpose to us today - unless we can convince CCI or RWS to offer Maynard tapes. ;-)

 

[dahenry]

I did post the question about the information on the 1855 Springfields to the website of the 1st Colorado but unfortunately did not receive a reply. To be fair, this might be an old address or one that is no longer monitored.

Dave