Need an informed opinion on 1861 Springfield

[LTC]

I have been offered a 1861 .58cal Springfield Rifled Musket at what I think is a very attractive price.

It is dated to 1861 on the lockplate. The U.S. Springfield and eagle stamp are not strong but visable. The left side of the barrel has the V.P. and eagle acceptance stamp visable. There is an inspectors cartouche visable on the left of the stock but the initials can't be made out.

The barrel, lockplate, hammer, trigger assy and butt plate are all an even brown patena with some minor pitting. The bore appears to only fair to poor but I can't see any pitting as far as I can see in it.

The stock is in good order with no losses of cracking. It appears to have it's original finish. It does show normal handling marks for a weapon of this era. The barrel bands are all marked with a U and are the same condition as the barrel and lockplate.

The ramrod is missing. The lockwork functions properly.

Who can give me a fair market value on this piece of Civil War history?


LTC

 

[Muley Gil]

I presume it has a 39" barrel and all three barrel bands and the nose cap is nearly at the end of the barrel and that the wooden stock hasn't been cut. Many of these rifle muskets were cutdown after the War.

Without seeing any pictures, I'd put a bottom price of $750 on it.

Make sure and put a cleaning rod down the barrel and mark where the end of the barrel is on the rod. Then lay the rod next to the barrel. There shouldn't be much of a space to the breech. A lot of muzzleloaders are found to still be loaded and they have been known to go BOOM!

Safety first.

 

[Plain Old Dave]

Nother thought: Some re-enactors do what is called "de-farbing" the reproduction musket they re-enact with; this entails removing markings and features that are not strictly authentic. Unscrupulous de-farbers will not leave ANY sign that the piece is an Italian copy, however those with integrity will sometimes mark their work in an inconspicuous area, like below the wood. I would have the piece examined by an expert to ensure that you're not looking at a c. 300-500 dollar Italian repro.

 

[4864]

Nother thought: Some re-enactors do what is called "de-farbing" the reproduction musket they re-enact with; this entails removing markings and features that are not strictly authentic. Unscrupulous de-farbers will not leave ANY sign that the piece is an Italian copy, however those with integrity will sometimes mark their work in an inconspicuous area, like below the wood. I would have the piece examined by an expert to ensure that you're not looking at a c. 300-500 dollar Italian repro.

I was going to same the same thing. If you can check the under side of the barrel by dismounting in from the stock. Are the barrel bands flat or round?

 

[LTC]

Thanks for the replys. The Springfield is in fact an unaltered original. As a CW re-enactor for the past 20 years I am aware of the defarbed repoductions, but thanks for the warning

This 1861 is from a private party and friend who aquired it from one of his friends grandfathers.

It is full length, 3 three band ( flat, U marked bands ) with nose cap.

LTC