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Springfield Model 1863 Type II Rifled Musket
Guns International #: 101399762 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Civil War Rifles - Springfield Rifles - Antique
Seller's Information
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Seller: Brent Wilburn
Company: Antique Arms, Inc.
Member Since: 11/19/15
First Name: Brent
Last Name: Wilburn
State: Georgia
Zip: 30052
Country: United States
Phone: (678) 471-1432
Phone2: (678) 471-1432
Premium Seller
Number of Active Listings: 36
Total Number of Listings: 580
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Money Order, Certified Check
Description:
SALE PENDING! Own a Piece of History! This is a good solid untouched example of the Springfield Armory's last Muzzloading Rifle, the Model 1863 Rifle Musket that was made one of the most critical years in U.S. History, 1864 that helped win the Civil War for the Union. This one is the Type II that has the single leaf rear sight,solid barrel bands secured by flat springs, and the split style front sling swivel. Both the lockplate and the barrel are dated 1864. The left side of the stock opposite the lockplate has two inspector cartouches which were not deeply stamped but still visible. Standard original tulip-head ramrod.
Historically speaking, the Model 1863 is the weapon the Union Army used to finish off the Confederacy during the Civil War and it came at a very dear price in numbers of lives in Northern Virginia. As 1864 approached, President Abraham Lincoln realized that there was a very good chance the Union could lose the War with the Southern States over Secession. The War was entering its 4th calendar year and the losses on both sides due to fighting and disease were staggering. Aside from Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg in 1863, the Confederacy was still largely intact in terms of overall territory and still maintained large Armies in the West and East. The President needed a major Victory to keep his weary citizens supporting the war effort. This victory needed to be decisive showed the War was coming to an end....Richmond or Atlanta. Either one would suffice. To complicate matters, Lincoln lacked the leadership in the East to thwart Lee's Army, nor did he have an overall strategy to defeat the South. Then there was the underlying fact that in 6 months, about half of the Union Army would be finishing their 3 year term of Enlistments they had signed in 1861 and likely go home...most of whom hadn't seen their families since 1861. Even worse, Lincoln faced re-election in the Fall of 1864, his main opponent, Union General McClellan who vowed to begin negotiations with the South to end the War. That said, 1864 was not looking good for Lincoln's prospects of preserving the Union and most history books skip over a lot of very important decisions that the President and his commander's made...straight to Lee's surrender at Appomattox in April 1865. If you want to know how Lincoln saved the Union, remember these 3 decisions he made at the end of 1863. No. 1. Lincoln took his best General from the West, Ulysses S. Grant, who had never lost a battle and put him in charge of the entire Union Army and directly against Lee in Virginia. Unlike other previous Union Generals, Grant was not shy about using his superior numbers to win battles, no matter what the cost. No. 2. Grant devised an overall strategy to put simultaneous and constant pressure in the East and West in hopes of capturing either Richmond or Atlanta before to gain Lincoln a major victory to help him get re-elected. Without one, the voters would see no end in sight and likely elect McClellan who ran on ending the War. No. 3 Lincoln had to keep half of his army, comprised of his best and most experienced soldiers, from going home after 3 years. So during the Winter of 1864, he made a deal with them. In exchange for re-enlisting for the duration of the war, they were allowed them to return home for 1 month paid leave, given a $200 dollar bonus, allowed them to recruit replacements for their regiments for the ones who were going home, and gave them an extra stripe to wear on their uniform signifying the "Veteran" status. As a result, most of these Vets stayed in the Army and with those $200 bonuses to spend back home, now you know how all of those Henry Rifles made it into the War. What's interesting about this Model 1863 Springfield rifle is that it was made and likely put into the field during this critical year of the Civil War. It played a part in these events at the end of the War. By September 1864, Atlanta had fallen to the Union, Lincoln had his victory and easily won re-election, and it was now only a matter of months before the Confederacy would fall.
Overall, this Springfield 1863 is in NRA Antique Very Good Condition with sharp markings and very good edges throughout. The wood is solid and shows no cracks, modifications, or repairs. Has the letter "H" carved into the right side of the stock. The metal is a light silvery grey that is beginining to tone to a light brown patina. Smooth and almost no pitting except for some light corrosion around the nipple on the barrel which means it got fired and saw action. The 1864 date is right there next to the bolster but still nice and visible. The Springfield Proofs on the left side of the barrel are Excellent. Lockplate is nice and the case hardening has faded out to silver. Buttplate is stamped "US" with a number "8" on the top. Mechanics are Good and the .58 Caliber bore is in Fine Condition with strong original 3 groove rifling intact. This did not get modified or bored out to a shotgun after the war. Sights are also intact as is the ramrod and swivels. The person we purchased this from was still shooting it however, given that it's getting close to its over 150 years old and its historical signficance, we are selling this strictly as an antique collectible and not warranting it as safe to fire. If you wish to do so, you'll need to have it thoroughly inspected by a competent gunsmith. This is a fantastic looking Civil War Vet that looks like it saw about 6-12 months of use towards the end of hostilities. It has a nice combination of condition with enough wear to let you know that it saw some use during a critical moment in our nation's history.
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: Springfield
Model: 1863
Caliber Info: .58
Manufacture Date: 1864