Hello everyone first I just want to thank the group for letting me join and post!
I purchased my first civil war rifle/musket at auction via online bidding. Being that it was through pictures only versus I kept to a reasonable amount especially since I've only begun to learn about them. Long story short is it is now in my possession and regardless of my confusions I am still very happy with it, I just want to learn more about it so I know exactly what I have.
I've researched various forums, scoured over photos on those forums and while I have some questions answered a few more popped up. Here is what I believe to be a fact. It is a Springfield 1863 per lock plate markings, appears to be a type I model, it is a two band style with clamp style barrel bands and springs.
Here are my confusions, I know there are several versions and variants over the evolution of the Springfield trapdoor within the conversions of civil war muskets. The trapdoor is marked with the year 1870, so initially I thought it was a later conversion but to my research (which I freely admit in my inexperience may be wrong) it shares very few similarities with the 1870 conversion photos and information I located, such as barrel length, bands, rear sight positioning and cartouche markings. It seems to share similarities with very early conversions, as well as artilery short model conversions. It sports what I believe to be a sleeved 30 inch barrel, which is one of my main hang up points as is the fact it has only two oval clamp style bands with no evidence of ever having a 3rd band. The serial number stamped on the new Breech mechanism matches the one stamped on the barrel half an inch away. So again perhaps my extreme infancy in weaponry is just not leading me to the right conclusion or maybe I do have a strange combination of parts that make up this rifle.
I would very much appreciate the thoughts and expertise of the more seasoned and knowledgeable people that are here so I can both learn and discover more about my very first treasure whether it turns out to be a standard run of the mill conversion or something more. I am including several pictures, I hope I covered all the areas that would be of importance based on other posts I have seen. Thanks again everyone.
I purchased my first civil war rifle/musket at auction via online bidding. Being that it was through pictures only versus I kept to a reasonable amount especially since I've only begun to learn about them. Long story short is it is now in my possession and regardless of my confusions I am still very happy with it, I just want to learn more about it so I know exactly what I have.
I've researched various forums, scoured over photos on those forums and while I have some questions answered a few more popped up. Here is what I believe to be a fact. It is a Springfield 1863 per lock plate markings, appears to be a type I model, it is a two band style with clamp style barrel bands and springs.
Here are my confusions, I know there are several versions and variants over the evolution of the Springfield trapdoor within the conversions of civil war muskets. The trapdoor is marked with the year 1870, so initially I thought it was a later conversion but to my research (which I freely admit in my inexperience may be wrong) it shares very few similarities with the 1870 conversion photos and information I located, such as barrel length, bands, rear sight positioning and cartouche markings. It seems to share similarities with very early conversions, as well as artilery short model conversions. It sports what I believe to be a sleeved 30 inch barrel, which is one of my main hang up points as is the fact it has only two oval clamp style bands with no evidence of ever having a 3rd band. The serial number stamped on the new Breech mechanism matches the one stamped on the barrel half an inch away. So again perhaps my extreme infancy in weaponry is just not leading me to the right conclusion or maybe I do have a strange combination of parts that make up this rifle.
I would very much appreciate the thoughts and expertise of the more seasoned and knowledgeable people that are here so I can both learn and discover more about my very first treasure whether it turns out to be a standard run of the mill conversion or something more. I am including several pictures, I hope I covered all the areas that would be of importance based on other posts I have seen. Thanks again everyone.
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