Anyone into Civil War rifles?

[guitar1580]

I've always been into Civil War history, and have collected a few small artifacts. I've thought of investing in a decent rifle, probably one that shows some use, and not perfect ... but in shootable condition (although I don't plan to shoot it much).

I've seen them in antique shops, but really know very little at this point, in terms of determining value / condition, what's a good deal or not, etc. I've ordered a book, Civil War Weapons, which I hope will help me determine what I want. I'd like to get something that will hold its value for possible resale, and one that was most likely used during the war ... possibly a Springfield which uses the .58 caliber Minieball. I was wondering what the price range of 1 - 1.5K would get. I'm not into them enough to spring for the 3 - 8K ones, although its nice to look.

Anyone with experience please offer opinions / pics, etc. on makes, models, caliber, rating the condition, maintenance, price, etc. Thanks in advance.

JT

 

[DR505]

Ah, the US Civil War....many countries have had, or are fighting, a civil war.

That would make for interesting collecting...rifles from all of history's civil wars!

 

[jlrhiner]

For starters I would recommend the STANDARD CATALOG OF CIVIL WAR WEAPONS for identifying them and a copy of FLAYDERMANS for pricing them.

 

[Dezfan]

I have several rifles in my collection that will more than likely be used in the US CWII.


Do those count?

 

[Mike McLellan]

One of my first guns, when I was fifteen, was a Harpers Ferry cap lock conversion musket in so-so condition. I shot marbles out of it. They were just the right size but, being glass, their trajectory was impossible to predict. When, on occasion, I hit what I was aiming for, I patted myself on the back for being such a great marksman. I loved that gun, but learned that black powder was nasty, foul smelling stuff. The Civil War was far from civil.

 

[Muley Gil]

If you are not too far away from Winchester VA, next weekend, actually starting next Wednesday through Sunday (Oct 1st through 5th), The North-South Skirmish Association will be holding its Fall National shoot at the home range located just off of Route 522, near the small community of Gainesboro.

Visitors are welcome and there will be many firearms for sale from the era of the War of Yankee Aggression. If you are interested, send me a PM. I've shooting these rifles since 1969 and between me and my team members, we'll find you a good rifle musket. Then, you can join the team and get you shooting! This is shooting at breakable targets at 50 and 100 yards, not battle reenactments.

Of course, we also shoot carbines, revolvers, CANNONS, Henrys and Spencers as well.

 

[PA Reb]

I've always been into Civil War history, and have collected a few small artifacts. I've thought of investing in a decent rifle, probably one that shows some use, and not perfect ... but in shootable condition (although I don't plan to shoot it much).

I've seen them in antique shops, but really know very little at this point, in terms of determining value / condition, what's a good deal or not, etc. I've ordered a book, Civil War Weapons, which I hope will help me determine what I want. I'd like to get something that will hold its value for possible resale, and one that was most likely used during the war ... possibly a Springfield which uses the .58 caliber Minieball. I was wondering what the price range of 1 - 1.5K would get. I'm not into them enough to spring for the 3 - 8K ones, although its nice to look.

Anyone with experience please offer opinions / pics, etc. on makes, models, caliber, rating the condition, maintenance, price, etc. Thanks in advance.

JT

Sent you an email. Let me know.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

The list of rifles used in the US Civil War is likely to be about the same as a comprehensive history of firearms prior to 1865. Both North and South were purchasing just about anything they could get from British, German, Belgian, French, Spanish, Swiss, and Austrian dealers. Any American arms manufacturer was likely to have had several contracts for everything that could be produced.

Many of the military units were raised, funded, an equipped by sponsors using private funds. Arms of all types were acquired from many sources.

Some military units started out as local or regional "home guard" volunteer outfits, then were later conscripted into active combat service, frequently using personally owned firearms. Shotguns appear to have been valued by both sides, although regular army units were seldom equipped with shotguns (other than the occasional "foraging" piece used to secure game for consumption).

Technology in firearms was already advancing, and the Civil War provided a significant boost. Self-contained cartridges, rimfire cartridges and arms, and repeating rifles all went from curiosities to commonplace products over the space of a few years. Dear old S&W grew by leaps and bounds during the period.

Original arms of the period that are definitely known to have been acquired for military use are still around in some quantities, some more rare than others. Those remaining in all original condition are less common. Those that are still in usable condition are less common. Almost all were converted to some type of civilian use, sold as surplus, carried to new frontiers, etc. Few were maintained as historical artifacts, and those that were have probably been in museums and private collections for many years.

Hundreds of thousands of original Springfield rifles of the period were subsequently converted to "trapdoor" cartridge rifles prior to the standardization of the 1873 Springfield and serial production of that line. Many became harpoon guns used for whaling. Some became Navy line-throwing guns that remained in service for decades.

In addition to the Springfields there were British Enfields in great numbers used by both sides. Remington produced thousands of percussion rifles in military form. Gallagher, Burnside, Sharps, Spencer, and a dozen others provided rifles in military form. As with military surplus arms of later periods, most of these went on to civilian uses, and many were "sporterized" or converted to cartridge guns.

Right up to the 1960's there were any number of these old rifles available. Bannerman's ran a mail order business for many years, offering these antiques for a few dollars each. A highly popular use was in making floor lamps with electric bulbs and shades, some depicting Civil War scenes.

Tons of antique guns of the period went into the smelters during WW2 as the nation's Boy Scouts and civic groups gathered metals of all types in support of the war effort.

I'm sure that if you look hard enough (GunBroker might be useful, as well as some of the big auction houses) you will find something of interest. Relative rarity, originality, and condition will determine the value. You can plan on competing against many other people having similar interests, and bidding can go crazy at times. You will probably suffer a number of disappointments, and you might experience remorse for not bidding more on some that interested you but seemed out of reach at the time. All part of the game.

My first Civil War piece was a Colt 1860 Army revolver, which I acquired about 30 years ago in a trade. All original and still functional. At that time I estimated the market value at about $300. Today I would not take $2500 for it.

I also have two Remington Army revolvers, 1863 and 1864 production for the Union Army. Both remain complete, original, and functional. Although less common than the Colts, the Remingtons have never achieved the same values. But the Remingtons are still in demand and bring good prices. These were prized by both sides because of their inherent strength and accuracy.

I recently added an original 1873 Trapdoor Springfield .45-70-500 infantry rifle to my collection. It came with the front sight replaced with a cut-down Mexican 'cinco centavos' coin! One can only wonder about its travels and uses over the past 130-plus years!

Have fun, keep an open mind, do your research. When something of interest comes along be ready to act decisively. You will get what you want and probably have a lot of fun with it.

 

[JJEH]

Anyone into Civil War rifles?

I would like to. It's just that they are so darn expensive...

After we took a tour at the Artillery Museum here at Ft. Sill, OK I'm hooked.

And apparently our little one too

Photos are courtesy of the museum.

 

[ironhead7544]

For shooting, I would pick up a repro. Lots of them out there.

 

[guitar1580]

Thanks for the suggestions folks. Very helpful. Thanks Lobo, for taking the time to write that up. Great info & much appreciated.

I'm doing some research, and plan to end up with a decent relic from the period.

JT

 

[fthorsby]

Also, watch out for scammers. Anything that was from the era of 1861-1865 will be called "Civil War" just to get a premium, especially if it's labeled "Confederate". But as others have said, there was no standard firearm issued duing our Civil War. Especially for the Confederate soldiers.

 

[Skeetr57]

I have two carbines from the Civil war period. One is an 1863 Sharps that ws later converted to .50-70 center fire. The other is an 1859 Maynard .50 caliber carbine, outside primed. The Maynards were contracted for early on, but for some reason most were delivered too late to be used in the war, so they are usually found in excellent condition. The Maynard may have been the best carbine of the war from a simplicity and strength standpoint. I have some brass cases that I got from Dixie Gun Works, and a bullet mould that I made, and it shoots quite well.