Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1863 Rifled Musket Type II
Serial Number: None
Year of Manufacture: 1864 / ATF Classification: Antique
Caliber/Gauge: .58 Caliber
Action Type: Percussion, muzzle loading, black powder
Barrel Length: 40"
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a small blade integral to a fixed base. The rear sight is an earlier type I style two leaf folding sight screwed into the barrel.
Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The refinished stock is one piece walnut with lock plate, straight wrist grip, straight comb, metal buttplate, three barrel bands with springs, sling ring in the bottom of the middle band, nose cap, cutout for the included ramrod, and sling ring in the front of the trigger guard. The LOP measures 13 1/2? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are scattered old blemishes that have been cleaned up and refinished like the rest of the wood. The stock rates in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: The finish has been wiped
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is still well defined. There is light erosion and spots of surface oxidation scattered in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 0% of its metal finish. The finish is almost completely goine, now showing scattered pitting and patina. The screw heads show little to no tooling and retain turnable slots. The markings are clear and complete. Overall, this rifle rates in Very good condition as an antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Springfield Armory Model 1863 Type II, also sometimes known as the Model 1864, represented the final regulation muzzle-loading rifle-musket adopted by the U.S. Army. Chambered in .58 caliber and retaining the 40" barrel of its immediate predecessors, the Type II incorporated several revisions from the Model 1863 Type I. Most notably, Springfield returned to solid barrel bands retained by band springs rather than the split, screw-clamping bands of the Type I. More than 250,000 Type II rifle-muskets were produced at Springfield Armory, and the pattern saw service during the final phase of the Civil War. This 1864-dated example retains the characteristic percussion ignition, three-band military stock, sling swivels, ramrod, and full-length 40" barrel of the pattern.
This rifle-musket retains essentially none of its original metal finish. The metal has been wiped or cleaned and now displays scattered patina and pitting. The refinished walnut stock remains in Very Good condition, with scattered old blemishes that have been cleaned up and finished over. The bore is mostly bright with well-defined rifling, light erosion, and scattered spots of surface oxidation, rating 8/10. The screw heads show little to no tooling and retain serviceable slots, while the markings remain clear and complete. The action functions correctly. Although the refinished stock, cleaned metal, and non-standard earlier-pattern two-leaf rear sight affect originality, this remains a handsome and substantially complete Civil War-era Springfield rifle-musket with a notably strong bore for its age. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good condition as an antique. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!
