Civil War Springfield Model 1861 Dated 1863 (Last Production Series)

Civil War Springfield Model 1861 Dated 1863 (Last Production Series) – This Springfield M1861 has a lock plate and barrel dated 1863. Unusually, it is certainly possible, as with this rifle, to have an all-original Model 1861 Springfield dated 1863 on both the lock and the barrel; we’ve encountered one or two over the years. The change in the production from the M1861 to the Type I Model 1863 took several weeks to take effect, and apparently, some overlap (using up of old parts) occurred. Research indicates that the change from the type I to type II M1863 was also on a gradual basis, as examples of type Is dated 1864 and type IIs dated 1863 evidence that the change came on a machine by machine basis while the production line continued in late 1863-early 1864. For example, seen on page 42 of the Time-Life publication, “Echoes of Glory” (Union), the top left picture shows an 1863 dated Springfield with a ‘61 type bolster, and what appears to be a transitional style hammer, not exactly like a typical ‘63 hammer, as a standard ‘63 hammer will not align with the nipple on a ‘61 bolster. (The credits indicate that the musket is in the Smithsonian.) The official date of the change when the Springfield Armory went from production of the M1861 to the M1863, was February 9, 1863 (see Claud Fuller’s THE RIFLED MUSKET, pages 23-24). It appears that this late dated M1861 was one of the few produced during the latter stages of production, in either January or early February, 1863.

The rifle remains in overall very good condition – firing mechanism functions well; the stock retains its dark, oiled walnut appearance; the original, distinctive, M1861 swell-tipped ramrod is present; the bore is clean, with visible rifling; all metal elements exhibit a plum gray appearance; there is a regimental issue number, stenciled in now darkened, white paint – “34”; the breech of the barrel exhibits the usually found VP and eagle stamping, with the date “1863”; there is a small number “3” stamped into the stock on the left side of the breech area. This is an excellent example of a rarely encountered, late manufactured M1861.