Original Excellent Condition U.S. Civil War Springfield Model 1863 Type II Percussion Rifled Musket – Dated 1864 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is, without a doubt, the best condition Springfield M1863 Type II Rifled Musket we have ever handled. Only one other compares, and that was a M1863 Type I. We daresay that it must have been a pattern or example gun, as we honestly can see very little evidence that it was ever used. A truly excellent example!

The Springfield Model 1863 rifled musket is a .58 caliber rifled musket produced by the Springfield Armory between 1863 and 1865. The Model 1863 was a minor improvement over the Springfield Model 1861. As such, it is sometimes classified as just a variant of the Model 1861. The Model 1861, with all of its variants, was the most commonly used longarm in the American Civil War, with over 700,000 manufactured. The Model 1863 also has the distinction of being the last muzzle-loading longarm produced by the Springfield Armory.

The Model 1863 was produced in two variants. The Type I eliminated the band springs and replaced the flat barrel bands with oval clamping bands. It also featured a new ramrod, a case-hardened lock, a new hammer, and a redesigned bolster (percussion chamber). Several of these modifications were based upon Colt’s contract model 1861, known as the “Colt special”. 273,265 Type I variants were manufactured in 1863.

The Type II is sometimes referred to as the Model 1864, but is more commonly referred to as just a variant of the Model 1863. This version re-introduced band springs, replaced the clamping bands with solid oval bands, and replaced the three leaf rear sight with single leaf sight. A total of 255,040 of these were manufactured from 1864 to 1865. 

By the end of the Civil War, muzzle-loading rifles and muskets were considered obsolete. In the years following the Civil War, many Model 1863 muskets were converted into breech-loading “Trapdoor Springfields”. The breech-loading weapons increased the rate of fire from 3 to 4 rounds per minute to 8 to 10 rounds per minute. The Model 1863 could be converted to breech-loading for about $5, at a time when a new rifle would cost about $20. The conversion of Model 1863 rifles therefore represented a significant cost savings to the U.S. military.

This type II 1863 however escaped conversion, and is presented for sale in the original Civil War era configuration, looking much as it did when it was originally issued! We have never seen an example this clean and crisp before. It is dated 1864 on the lock plate tail, and also has an Eagle stamped into the lock over U.S. / SPRINGFIELD, indicating production at Springfield Armory, in Springfield Massachusetts. Lock holds properly at half cock, firing at full cock. The lock markings are fully legible, and the lock plate shows on a few specs of oxidation, and much of the original case hardening still present on both the plate and hammer! The cap bolster still bears a clear Eagle stamping, with all of the detail present as well. The bore is, in a word, MINT. It is bright and shiny, with the original machining marks still visible. This is as good as we have ever seen.

The one piece walnut stock still is in excellent condition, with a lovely polished glow, and just a few dents from storage. The barrel stills shows clear V/ P / “Eagle’s Head” proofs on the left facet. The barrel is smooth with a lovely bright steel finish, and little sign of use or wear, with a fully legible 1864 date, something we rarely see! This gun has the correct Type II pattern single leaf rear sight, still blued, and has the Type II solid bands retained by springs. The butt-plate is stamped U.S. as per regulation, and all barrel bands are U stamped. The ramrod is the correct and original tulip type, and both sling swivels are present.

An excellent example, one of the best that we have ever had, ready to be the centerpiece in any U.S. Civil War rifle collection. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1864
Caliber: .58″
Cartridge Type: Minié Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 40 Inches
Overall Length: 56 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

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