Springfield Armory Model 1863 Rifled Musket

Make: Springfield Armory Model: U.S. 1863 Rifled Musket Serial Number: NSN Year of Manufacture: 1863 Caliber: .58 Caliber Ball Action Type: Single Shot, Muzzle Loaded Percussion Rifle Markings: The left side of the barrel is inspector marked “V / P” with an eagle's head. The lock plate is marked “1863 / U.S. SPRINGFIELD" with an eagle motif, found again on the nipple bolster. Barrel Length: Approximately 27", cut down from 40". Sights / Optics: There is no front sight, the rear sight is a "U" notched leaf in the flipped down position and can be raised for a 300 or 500 elevator leaf, in a base that is fixed to the barrel. Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is smooth walnut, the left of the butt is hand carved "CB". The two barrel bands are marked "U", the left of the stock near the trigger has "ELA" cartrouche in oval under hand carved "I M". The underside of the stock has a small inspector mark of "G.B.A." it appears the stock was cut down at some point, with sanding near the nose cap, the job was done very well please see our pictures. The other surfaces have deeper gouges and scrapes, a few chip losses are seen on the ram rod channel and by the butt plate. The LOP measures 13 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate; the plate does not bear U.S. marks, it could be a replacement, the metal has losses of the nickel finish, showing very dark metal, there are a few scrape and scuff areas, the plate is in about Good condition. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition. Type of Finish: Nickel Plated Finish Originality: The rifle has been refinished, this looks to have been done a very long time ago and after the barrel was cut. Bore Condition: The bore is dark but the rifling is still highly formed. There are some spots of pitting and built surface erosion. Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its current metal finish. The surfaces were plated at some point though this looks to have been done a long time ago. The areas with chip losses and rub wear to bare metal show dark surfaces. A few areas have bubbling, some raised portions could be erosion covered by the plating. The hammer, trigger and guard show indexing wear, also on both sling swivels. The metal's fit to the wood is very clean. The screw heads are moderately tooled but still serviceable. The nipple bolster eagle is faded, the other markings were retained well, please see our pictures. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good to Very Good condition as refinished. Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a ram rod that ends flush with the barrel, the tulip cup can be screwed off, the tip is slightly askew from the center line of the rod, there are scrapes and spots of erosion, in Very Good condition. Our Assessment: From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield_Model_1863 "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 only 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." This rifle is dated to 1863, a time in American history where the clouds of war had been raining terror throughout the eastern seabord for two years. The end of the war would still be two long years away and the newer rifles were passed out as quickly as possible to gain firepower over the enemies of the union. Here we have a rifle that looks to have been cut down both at the barrel and the stock, to give a shorter profile than the normal 40" variant. The stock still has crisply defined inspector marks and two sets of initials to give the piece some history. The nickel plating looks to have been applied a long time ago, it is possible this was a presentation, parade or honor guard piece though we do not know the full history.   NRA ANTIQUE FIREARM CONDITIONS STANDARDS:

• FACTORY NEW: All original parts; 100% original finish; in perfect condition in every respect, inside and out.
• EXCELLENT: All original parts; over 80% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; unmarred wood; fine bore.
• FINE: All original parts; over 30% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; minor marks in wood; good bore.
• VERY GOOD: All original parts; none to 30% original finish; original metal surfaces smooth with all edges sharp; clear lettering, numerals and design on metal; wood slightly scratched or bruised; bore disregarded for collectors firearms.
• GOOD: Some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned or re-blued; principal letters, numerals and design on metal legible; wood refinished, scratched bruised or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.
• FAIR: Some major parts replaced; minor replacement parts may be required; metal rusted, may be lightly pitted all over, vigorously cleaned or re-blued; rounded edges of metal and wood; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal partly obliterated; wood scratched, bruised, cracked or repaired where broken; in fair working order or can be easily repaired and placed in working order.
• POOR: Major and minor parts replaced; major replacement parts required and extensive restoration needed; metal deeply pitted; principal lettering, numerals and design obliterated, wood badly scratched, bruised, cracked or broken; mechanically inoperative; generally undesirable as a collector's firearm.