Guns International #: 103256990
Seller's Inventory #: 250660

Category - Civil War Rifles - Harpers Ferry Rifles

Category
Civil War Rifles
Harpers Ferry Rifles

CIVIL WAR Antique U.S. HARPERS FERRY M1855 .58 Minié Rifle-Musket BAYONET 1 of 5151; IRON MOUNTED Maynard Tape Primed Musket

Description:
CIVIL WAR Antique U.S. HARPERS FERRY M1855 .58 Minié Rifle-Musket BAYONET 

1 of 5151; IRON MOUNTED Maynard Tape Primed Musket

Here we present an antique Harpers Ferry Arsenal U.S. Model 1855 Rifle-Musket with a U.S. Marked Socket Bayonet, manufactured in 1860 in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. The Model 1855 was the first U.S. musket to utilize the .58 caliber Minie ball. The U.S. military was piloting a concept for all U.S. Army troops to have a common caliber, so that logistics would be simplified. The chosen caliber was .58, and it utilized the cutting-edge cone-shaped Minié ball with the hollow base instead of a spherical ball.

Also, relatively new and short-lived was the Maynard tape priming system, to which Springfield had purchased the rights. Instead of directly priming the nipple by hand for each shot, the user would simply install a roll of paper percussion caps, and a single cap would be exposed, sheared and carried by the hammer to detonate on the nipple. Of course, the standard rifle percussion caps could also be used. This system was simply abandoned with the beginning of the American Civil War as arms production was driven by effectiveness and efficiency, resulting in the simplified Model 1861.

Only 5,151 iron-mounted 1855 Rifles had been manufactured when the Harpers Ferry Armory was burned by Confederate forces in 1861. Many of the Model 1855 rifles were destroyed in the Armory fire and nearly all of the surviving rifles saw hard use with Federal and Confederate armies during the Civil War, and as a result any surviving examples of the Model 1855 Rifle are scarce and typically show the effects of hard field service.

The overall condition is good. Mottled, original gray and dark patinas. The stock is very good with a grain split at the rear lock screw and faint cartouche present on the left flat. Strong action. The bore is bright and smooth. The breech marks are worn. Good bayonet marked “U.S. / S”. Rear and middle barrel bands have a little bit of wiggle.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 40 inches.

Caliber: .62 Percussion Smoothbore

Overall condition as seen in photos.

Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!

Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

ancestryguns

$2550

#250660
 

Antique: Yes

Price: $2,550.00
Buy Now
Pay with