on a new era in military hardware. By approving the manufacture and issuing of rifle-muskets to its infantry, they were keeping up in an international arms race to field the most modern armed forces.
Whereas rifled muskets were already in the hands of some troops, the smoothbore musket was still the most prevalent. Rather than focusing all efforts on reboring the old weapons, the federal arsenals at Harpers Ferry and Springfield would begin the manufacturing of the modern, purpose-built, Model 1855 rifle-musket.
A rifle-musket is a long arm that was originally built with a rifled barrel. Generally— but not exclusively—manufacturers produced rifle-muskets in approximately .58 caliber. Finally, the third characteristic of a rifle-musket is that it is equipped to support an angular bayonet.
By far, rifle-muskets were the most common weapons of the Civil War. Contractors and arsenals in both the north and south turned out tens of thousands of rifle-muskets, making this a ripe area for collectors today.
U.S. MODEL 1855 RIFLE-MUSKET, .58 CALIBER, HARPERS FERRY, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Rock Island Auction Company
Proof marks found on Harpers Ferry-manufactured Model 1855 rifle-muskets. Rock Island Auction Company
Manufactured by Harpers Ferry Armory, Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia), 1859–61. Total production: 12,158.
Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 3 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
“U.S. / HARPERS FERRY” in front of lock plate in front of hammer; year to rear of lock plate; spread eagle on primer door; “V / P” over eagle head on upper left flat of barrel; year on top of barrel near breech.
The Harpers Ferry version of the U.S. Model 1855 Rifle-Musket, .58 caliber, was similar to the Springfield version, with the exception of different maker’s mark on the lock plate.
Three principal types existed:
Type I: Included a long-base rear sight marked “US,” 5-1/2” from the breech; furniture was iron, except for a brass fore-tip.
Type II: In early 1855, a smaller long-range, two-leaf sight was adopted; it was mounted 2-3/4” from the breech.
Type III: Same as the Type II, except the fore-tip was changed to iron, and an iron patch box was installed in the right side of the butt stock.
| ALL TYPES: GOOD–$1,450 | FINE–$5,000 |
Harpers Ferry Model 1855 Rifle-Musket, Type I. Rock Island Auction Company
U.S. MODEL 1855 CONTRACT RIFLE-MUSKET, SPRINGFIELD, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Springfield Model 1855 Rifle-Musket, Type III, with iron patchbox. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc.
James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts, ca. 1856–61. Total production: 47,115.
Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 3 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
“U.S. / SPRINGFIELD” to front of lock plate in front of hammer; year to rear of lock plate; spread eagle on primer door; year on top flat of barrel near breech; “V / P” over eagle head on upper left flat of barrel; “U” on right side of each barrel band; “US” on tang of butt plate.
This model of rifle-musket, manufactured by the Springfield and Harpers Ferry Armories, saw extensive service in the Civil War and was significant for being the first officially adopted U.S. firearm to use the .58-caliber Minié bullet. It incorporated the Maynard tape primer system and had a 40" round barrel rifled with three grooves. All hardware was finished bright. The oil-finished black walnut stock had inspector’s initials stamped on the left side opposite the lock.
Three principal types existed:
Type I: Included a long-base rear sight marked “US,” 5-1/2” from the breech; furniture was iron, except for a brass fore-tip.
Type II: In early 1855, a smaller long-range, two-leaf sight was adopted; it was mounted 2-3/4” from the breech.
Type III: Same as the Type II, except the fore-tip was changed to iron, and an iron patch box was installed in the right side of the butt stock.
| ALL TYPES: GOOD–$1,650 | FINE–$5,500 |
U.S. MODEL 1855 WHITNEY CONTRACT RIFLE-MUSKET, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Manufactured by Eli Whitney, Jr., New Haven, Connecticut, ca. 1857–58. Total production: approximately 350.
Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 3 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
“E. WHITNEY / N. HAVEN” to front of lock plate in front of hammer; year (usually “1858”; some examples lack dates) to rear of lock plate; spread eagle on primer door; letter over number on barrel near breech.
The Whitney Contract version of the U.S. Model 1855 Rifle-Musket, .58 caliber, was similar to the Springfield and Harpers Ferry versions, with these exceptions in the Whitney arms: the barrel was rifled with seven grooves instead of three; the fore-tip was pewter of the Enfield pattern; the band-retaining springs were slightly longer; and side-screw ferrules were brass of the Enfield type. Specimens exist with both the Type I long-base rear sight and the smaller Type II rear sight.
| GOOD–$1,550 | FINE–$3,500 |
U.S. MODEL 1858 CADET RIFLE-MUSKET, SPRINGFIELD, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts, ca. 1858–60. Total production: 2,501.
Overall length: 53".
Muzzleloader, single shot.
“U.S. / SPRINGFIELD” to front of lock plate in front of hammer; year to rear of lock plate; spread eagle on primer door; year on top flat of barrel
