Description
This Model 1861 .58 caliber percussion rifle musket is complete, original except for the percussion nipple (replaced) and in very good condition. Produced by E. Robinson in New York. The bore is above average with strong rifling but could use a good cleaning.
All gun metal on this rifle is smooth with matching light gray/brown color. A strong spread-winged eagle motif is stamped on lockplate between hammer and bolster. Under the eagle is “U.S.” In front of this and under the bolster is the maker’s stamp, “E. ROBINSON / NEW YORK”. Behind the hammer is the date, “1863”. The 40” long barrel has the original two-leaf rear sight and small blade front sight. Barrel shows very light pitting and wear around the breech and bolster.
The date “1863” is b discernable on the top of the breech. Proof marks “V / P / eaglehead” are likewise visible on upper left facet of the breech. Inspector’s initials “[star] LEM” are stamped on the left side of breech. Barrel bore is clear with light pitting and strong rifling. Screw heads are in good shape. Butt plate bears the “US”. Mechanics are crisp and strong. Retains its original swelled shank, tulip-head steel ramrod with a threaded end. Barrel bands, sling swivels, etc. are all in good condition. Most individual iron parts have small sub-inspector stamps.
Black walnut full stock is in very good condition overall. Stock has clear cartouche on the flat. There are no cracks and only the usual dings and dents from use and storage. Wood retains dark original color and finish.
The Model 1861 was the primary musket at the start of the American Civil War for the Union. The musket was designed to fire the .58 caliber minie ball. The M1861 is representative of the common infantryman’s primary weapon during the War. About 1.5 million rifle muskets were made in the U.S., over 800,000 of which were made by the Springfield Armory. This was the last hurrah of the rifle-musket as arms development and tactics rapidly advanced during the short period of the American Civil War. Nevertheless, the 1861 represented new technology as it was made for use with the minié ball, a hollow based, conical projectile that was small enough to quickly push down the muzzle of a rifled barrel and expanded to create a good gas seal unlike a solid, round ball. Almost immediately after the war, the U.S. military switched from the old muzzle loading type weapons to the newer breech loading rifles, bringing an end to the musket as a standard frontline firearm in American history.
The Federal army was not prepared for war in 1861. Quite a few of its arms were in southern hands, and the two armories, Springfield, Massachusetts and Harpers Ferry, Virginia, could not make the standard rifle musket quickly enough to supply the army. Early in the War, Harpers Ferry was captured, and the machinery was soon in possession of the the South. The result was that the Union turned to contractors. The Model 1861 was contracted out to over 20 different companies aside from the national armory at Springfield. Compared to the total production numbers of over a million, production of the Robinson contract was limited at 24,000 making these weapons particularly scarce and desirable.
