Springfield 1861

[Lead Snowstorm]

Greetings all,

It has been awhile since I had something to show here, but I have finally acquired another Civil War arm. I found this Springfield 1861 on Guns International and snagged it for $2050 total. It's a tad higher than I might have preferred to pay but after looking for quite awhile most of the 1861s in that price range are pretty beat.

This one is in pretty good condition all told; the main detractions are, I think, some cleaning of the metal, a repaired chip next to the hammer, and some pitting in the typical regions of the nipple. On the plus side, the stock has not be grossly sanded and the cartouches are still slightly visible.

Well, that's enough words, pictures will do the work of thousands of words!

 

[bayonet]

Guess if your happy with it that's all that counts

 

[Conquerordie]

I like the gun. Matching dates on the lock and barrel doesn't seem to happen all that often. Nice proof marks, and cartouches. Some pitting around the nipple means use, to me that's a good thing. Yeah it's been cleaned but you can't help what others have done before you! Look to see if there is any small stamp inside the ramrod channel. Mine has a small SB and I never have seen anyone else mention it. Don't know what it is. Mines a 1862 dated just like yours.

 

[VMI88]

Nice, honest, early Springfield: a classic!

 

[Lead Snowstorm]

Had to go out of town right after getting it but I will look at the channel and check back in when I can! Matching dates was definitely one of the things I was looking for.

Collecting these guns is a real game of trade offs, and despite the cleaning the markings were still visible, rifling still there, mechanically perfectly functional, wood pretty decent, and all the parts (ie rod, rear sight) still present and accounted for.

Who knows, I might even sling some lead with it someday!

 

[26Intrepid]

A very nice piece of history! Matching numbers is always a gift too!

A lot of times the screws on these old pieces are soooo buggered. People will take the firearm apart and use any screwdriver that's at their disposal. Using a screwdriver to completely fill the slot works so much better. I hate seeing a beautiful firearm with jacked up screws.... yours don't look too bad. That's always a plus too! Congrats!

 

[JOHN42768]

I can only make out ESA for Erskine S. Allin of the two cartouches

 

[Seduzal]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Kyle Kalasnik]

I like it.

I doubt I'll look that good at 162 years old.

Congratulations.

 

[LCYingling3rd]

Looks great! I'd say it is an excellent addition to your collection!

 

[Lead Snowstorm]

Look to see if there is any small stamp inside the ramrod channel. Mine has a small SB and I never have seen anyone else mention it. Don't know what it is. Mines a 1862 dated just like yours.

Just checked, nothing in the ramrod channel. Still doing my homework on what the inspection cartouche might be.

 

[Lead Snowstorm]

After going through Daum & Pate, I'm going to guess MTH for the inspection cartouche based on the most legible bits of the curlicues: