Original item: Only One Available. A great Civil War Long Gun, the U.S. .54 Caliber Percussion Rifle was in 1841 way ahead of its time and showed stout service in the American/Mexican War.

This example was made in 1854 at the Harpers Ferry Armory, located in Harpers Ferry, in what was then Virginia. After the outbreak of the U.S. Civil war, The North West corner of Virginia separated itself into West Virginia. This example is in lovely condition, a real great example of this type. The lock plate is marked (EAGLE) / U.S. in the center and HARPERS / FERRY / 1849 across the lock plate tail. It has however been updated, by the retrograde step of being smooth bored after 1855 to accept the then Standard 58 Caliber Minnie Ball. This was the ammunition used by the Springfield Model 1855, and later 1861 and 1863 models, which the U.S. wanted to standardize. Some were also modified to take sword bayonets, though this one has not.

The barrel would normally have some proof marks, however there is significant powder burn over the entire breech area, which has obliterated any markings there and on the barrel tang. The powder burn stops by the rear sight though, so the rest of the barrel has a very pleasing aged patina. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full.

The weapon is fully brass mounted including a brass patch box to the Butt which was used for storage of patches and sometimes bullets, as well as spare cap nipples. This way if the nipple broke or was clogged, it could easily be replaced. It was also used to store tools, and this example has an original M1842 Springfield Multi-Tool, which has a dual blade screw driver and closed-end cap nipple wrench. There also is a clearing "worm" for attaching to the cleaning rod, which was then used to extract a ball / charge when they misfired. 

The stock on this rifle has a lovely red brown color, and has a very nice finish, with the expected wear from age. Both sling swivels are still present, and there is even an ORIGINAL leather sling still attached! The sling definitely shows its age, however these are extremely rare, and we have not had any for quite some time.

An early U.S. issue rifle that may have seen service during the civil war. In really nice Collector's Condition, complete with accessories and ready to display.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1854 - converted c.1856
Caliber: .58 inches
Ammunition Type: .577 Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 33 inches
Overall Length: 49 inches
Action: Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

History of the M1841 "Mississippi Rifle"

The M1841 Mississippi rifle is a muzzle-loading percussion rifle used in the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War.  When Eli Whitney Blake took over management of the Harpers Ferry Armory in 1842, he set about tooling up under his new contract from the U.S. government for making the model 1841 percussion rifle. Machinery and fixtures for making the 1822 contract flintlock musket had to be retooled or replaced in order to produce the lock and barrel of the new model. Whitney, Jr. had the good sense to hire Thomas Warner as foreman, who, as master armorer at Springfield Armory, had just been making the same kind of major changes there. Thomas Warner had spearheaded the drive to equip the Springfield Armory with a set of new, more precise machines and a system of gauging that made it possible for the first time to achieve, in the late 1840s, the long-desired goal of interchangeability of parts in military small arms. Under his tutelage, Eli Whitney, Jr. equipped the Whitney Armory to do likewise.

The nickname "Mississippi" originated in the Mexican–American War when future Confederate president Jefferson Davis was appointed Colonel of the Mississippi Rifles, a volunteer regiment from the state of Mississippi. Colonel Davis sought to arm his regiment with the Model 1841 rifles. At this time, smoothbore muskets were still the primary infantry weapon and any unit with rifles was considered special and designated as such. Davis clashed with his commanding officer, General Winfield Scott, who said that the weapons were insufficiently tested and refused the request. Davis took his case to the President James Knox Polk who agreed with Davis that his men be armed with them. The incident was the start of a lifelong feud between Davis and Scott.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.