This is a rare, original, correct
and excellent condition Springfield Armory manufactured U.S. Model 1855 Rifle
Musket with Maynard Tape-Primer Mechanism with the steel forend tip that was
manufactured in 1860. This is the very desirable Type II Model 1855 and only 8,600
were manufactured at Springfield Armory in 1860.
Following the Napoleonic Wars of
the early 19th Century, arms developers in Europe began to digest the lessons
learned from the linear style of warfare used by Napoleon and his numerous
opponents on the continent. One of the critiques of the infantrymen of the day
was that the standard lead ball, which was only slightly less in diameter than
the bore diameter, would become harder and harder to load as the bore became
fouled with carbon and partially burned powder. In response, arms designers
began to experiment with projectiles that were significantly smaller in diameter
than the diameter of the bore, so that rapid loading could be accomplished. The
problem that developed as a result was that although a smaller diameter
projectile might be easier to load, there was a corresponding loss of accuracy
from a bullet that would essentially bounce down the barrel along with
decreased muzzle velocity from gas escaping past the projectile. Designers then
began to look for projectiles that, while small for loading, would expand to
"fit" the bore during firing. One method of resolving both of these
problems was to use a soft lead bullet that was smaller than the bore diameter.
The breech end of the weapon was designed with a shaft that protruded forward.
When the softer bullet was rammed into the breech, the shaft would deform the projectile
outwards causing it to expand to the diameter of the bore. While it worked in
theory, this method was actually slower as experiments showed that breech end
fowling, and the very act of ramming a piece of lead sufficiently to deform it
enough to expand to the diameter of the barrel, increased loading times.
This problem was ultimately
resolved in 1847 by French Ordnance Captain Claude Etienne Minie, who invented
a projectile, which still bears his name, that was smaller in diameter than the
bore but had a hollow base. Captain Minie's design was actually based upon the
work of two other French Ordnance Officers who had started work on hollow base
projectiles that incorporated a tapered wooden plug or sabot that was inserted
part way into the hollow base. When the weapon was fired, the initial expansion
of gases drove the plug into the hollow base, which then expanded the rear side
walls of the projectile to the diameter of the bore. Captain Minie's design,
which became known as the Minie Ball, replaced the wood plug or sabot with a
metal one, which gave greater consistency in accuracy than the wood design.
Minie's projectile design, in conjunction with a rifled barrel that he designed
in 1849, was used to devastating effect during the Crimean War. The Minie Ball
in a rifled barrel significantly increased both range and accuracy and rendered
the linear, close-in style of fighting used during the Napoleonic period,
obsolete. Unfortunately for the Americans soon to fight in the Civil War, the
development of new tactics lagged behind the development of small arms.
Needless to say, the new Minie
Ball and rifled barrel design of Captain Minie sparked considerable interest in
the United States Army. In 1853, Harpers Ferry manufactured several
experimental rifles with various bore diameters and rifling systems. Colonel
Benjamin Huger conducted tests of these experimental rifles, as well as a
number of European production rifles, at Harpers Ferry during the winter of
1853-1854. At the same time, Lieutenant James G. Benton was conducting parallel
tests at Springfield Armory. Benton's experiments led him to develop a
conical-pointed projectile with a hollow base that did not need the tapered
plug or sabot to expand the walls to the diameter of the bore. Benton accomplished
this by simply thinning the walls surrounding the hollow base so that the
expanding gases alone could accomplish what had earlier required the use of the
plug. Once Benton came up with this breakthrough, he began to work on improving
the ballistics performance of the round by lengthening the front, conical
portion of the round. Benton's final design would be the standard projectile
used during the Civil War with such devastating effectiveness.
French Captain Minie's
contributions would not be the last Continental influence on the American's new
design. The United States Ordnance Department received two examples of
Britain's new Pattern 1853 Rifle Musket in 1854 for test and evaluation. The
British Pattern 1853 Rifle would have a significant influence over the final
American design. All of the previous years' work culminated in tests conducted
from the fall of 1854 to the spring of 1855, when Colonel Huger and Lieutenant
Benton conducted firing trials at Springfield and Harpers Ferry. The final result
was a recommendation by the Ordnance Board of a new rifle with a .58 caliber
three-groove barrel with a twist rate of one right-hand turn in 72". The
grooves and lands were to be the same width and the groove depth would increase
from the muzzle to the breech. The method of priming and firing the new rifle
was based on the automatic tape-priming device patented by Dr. Edward Maynard,
who was a dentist in Washington, D.C., after the government purchased the
rights to Maynard's design for $50,000. The new rifle could also use standard
percussion caps as needed. Interestingly, the Ordnance Board's recommendation
for the new rifle was sent to, and approved by, then Secretary of War Jefferson
Davis, future president of the Confederate States of America. Secretary Davis
authorized the new rifle on July 5, 1855. Jefferson Davis' approval that year
led to the development of the U.S. Model 1855 family of weapons, which included
the rifle, a Model 1855 Carbine, and the Model 1855 Pistol Carbine.
The US Model 1855 Rifle Musket was
the United States' first service pattern, standard issue infantry, musket
configuration, rifled bore shoulder arm. All examples of the US Model 1855
Rifle were manufactured at either Springfield Armory or Harpers Ferry Armory.
The initial tooling at both armories was influenced significantly by Ordnance
Chief Colonel Craig who instructed the armories that the new Model 1855 rifles
were to have "perfect uniformity," and that "[e]very possible
exertion compatible with perfect accuracy of workmanship should be used to
complete the Model Musket..." So exacting was Colonel Craig's expectation
of "uniformity" that the established tolerances were reduced from the
previous tolerance of .01", which permitted functional interchangeability
of components, to only .0025", one fourth of the previously allowed
tolerance. This exacting demand for close tolerances significantly slowed down
production such that not one US Model 1855 Rifle was completed in 1855 and only
three were completed by June 30, 1856. The first 310 Model 1855 Rifles were
completed during the first quarter of calendar year 1857. Springfield and
Harpers Ferry would eventually produce two distinct types of Model 1855 Rifles.
The first, generally known as the Type I, is characterized by a long-range
sight, graduated to 900 yards, no provision for a patch box in the stock, and a
brass forend cap. The second, or Type II, incorporated a changed rear sight
with a simpler two-leaf design configured for firing up to 500 yards, added an
implement compartment (or patch box) in the right side of the stock, and
changed the forend cap from brass to steel. These changes were made in 1858 and
remained the same until the end of production of the Model 1855, which was in
1861.
This US Model 1855 Rifled Musket
is the second or Type II design manufactured at Springfield Armory in 1860 with
its original Model 1858 adjustable Rear Sight. The Stock is its original oil finished black
walnut that is 52 13/16" long. The original steel Butt Plate has the
curved rear profile and convex rear surface with 2 1/8" long, round-ended
tang. This butt plate is different than the Type I in that it has a recess on
the right side for the compartment door.
The Tang has the "US" stamp and a period unit stamp, which is
a serif “H” over the number “13.” The
Butt Plate Screws are both single slotted. The Butt Plate exhibits some minor pitting
throughout on both the tang and the back side.
The original black walnut stock is
in excellent condition. Since this is a
Type II Rifle Musket, it has the implement compartment on the right side of the
butt. The original oval recess has
original pen writing on the wood. The steel
compartment door of the patch box is present and is in excellent condition,
measuring 2 5/8” by 1 3/8” secured to the stock with a 4 9/16” long compartment
door. All three original single-slot
compartment screws are present. The patch
box compartment still exhibits most of its original national armory bright
finish. The door still closes securely. On the left stock flat is the correct oval
cartouche but the letters are no longer visible although it is probably the
cartouche with script “ESA,” which is the stamp of Erskine Allin. The Stock has
numerous dings and scratches but there are no cracks noted. The stock retains
its original oil finish.
All three original Barrel Bands
are present. The Bands, each approximately 5/8" wide with flat surfaces,
each gradually taper towards the muzzle for a secure fit and each is correctly
marked with a serif "U" on the right side, level with the Band
Retaining Spring. The three Bands all exhibits a pewter patina with traces of the
original bright finish remaining and there is only minor pinprick pitting on
the bands. The Band Springs, or Band
Retainers, are also original and are located forward of their respective bands.
The Middle Band has its original Upper Sling Swivel riveted to a lug on the
bottom and it rotates freely. The Forend Cap is steel and is secured by an
interior-run screw that secures it to the Stock.
The original Ramrod is 39
5/8" in length and has the cupped "tulip"-shaped head. The
Ramrod has a retaining swell approximately 5" to the rear of the head and
the rear end of the Ramrod is threaded for 5/16" to attach the ball screw
and wiper. The Ramrod exhibits a pewter patina with areas of old pinprick
pitting noted. The Ramrod Channel in the Stock shows normal dings from use and
from removing and reinserting the ramrod during firing and the Ramrod still
secures in the swell portion of the channel (Model 1855 Rifles did not use a
ramrod friction retainer to secure the ramrod when stowed).
The original Trigger Guard and
Trigger Plate are present. The Trigger Plate, which measures 7 5/8" by
5/8" wide, exhibits a pewter patina with traces of the original national armory
bright finish remaining. The Trigger
Plate is secured with two single-slotted screws. The Plate has minor pitting. At the front of the plate is a serif “H” inspection
stamp and at the rear is a serif “T” stamp.
The Trigger Bow is approximately 15/16" wide at the bottom and is
still tightly secured to the plate by internal slotted nuts. The Bow also shows
moderate pitting and a plum patina. The Lower Sling Swivel is correctly riveted
to the front of the Bow and it rotates freely. The original Trigger is present
and is suspended from a lateral machine screw through an internal lug on the
Trigger Plate and the screw still moves freely.
The original Lockplate measures 5
7/16" by 2" and is flat with beveled edges along the perimeter. The
Lockplate is marked "1860" horizontally to the rear of the Hammer.
The front of the Lockplate is marked "U.S./SPRINGFIELD." The
Lockplate has a pewter with traces of its original national armory bright
finish present. The original Maynard
Tape-Primer Assembly is present and is fully functional. The magazine is
approximately 1/4" deep and is designed to hold a roll of 50 primers. The
original Pawl, which advances the roll of primers, is present and still
functions correctly. The original Primer Magazine Cover is present and is
correctly marked with the spread eagle looking to the eagle's left (towards the
muzzle). The Cover is secured by the original spring stud or detent and it
opens and closes easily on the vertical pin through the hinge. The Lockplate is
secured from the left side with the original single-slotted Side Screws and
Washers. The original Hammer is present and measures 3 1/16" tall with a
convex surface. There is a serif “V”
assembly stamp on the front face of the hammer and a serif “S” on the inside
facing portion of the hammer. The thumb
piece is straight and has the correct borderless checkering. The bottom of the
Hammer nose has the cutting edge, which would cut the tape upon firing. The
Hammer Screw is a flat, single slotted screw with rounded edges. The lock still functions perfectly.
The original Nipple Bolster is
present and has a convex outer surface with single-slotted clean out screw. The
Nipple itself still has a clear path to the bottom of the inside of the
Bolster. The Clean Out Screw is present and can be removed.
The original 40" long rifled
barrel is present with octagonal surfaces at the rearmost 2 1/4". The barrel is still in excellent condition,
retaining considerable traces of the original bright finish with areas of old
pinprick pitting towards the breech end.
The front of the Barrel has the original Base and integral Front Sight
Post brazed to the Barrel approximately 1 1/4" behind the muzzle. The
Front Sight also served as the bayonet lug. The bore is still in excellent condition with
strong rifling and strong areas of mirror finish with isolated areas of old frosting. The barrel date of “1860” is still visible on
the top, rear flat of the barrel. On the
left flat is the correct serif “V” over serif “P” over eagle head proof and
viewing stamps. The original breech plug
and tang is present and is secured by a single-slotted screw.
The original Model 1858 Rear Sight
present. The base is attached to the barrel 2 11/16” forward of the breech by
its original mortise and spanner screw.
The base is 1.254” long and is single stepped at the front with a
rearward step at the back end. The base
exhibits a pewter and plum patina. Both
original elevation leaves are present, and they rotate on the original lateral screw,
which is correctly not countersunk on the right side. The short branch leaf is sighted for 100
yards, the long branch is sighted for 300 yards with a script “3” stamp on the
face, and the second leaf is sighted for 500 yards with a script “5” stamp on
the face.
U.S. Model 1855 Rifles are very
rare today and Type II examples from 1860 when Springfield transitioned to the patch
box are very desirable. Only 70,254
Model 1855 Rifles, of both types, were manufactured from 1857 to 1861, 47,115
at Springfield Armory and 23,139 at Harpers Ferry Armory. In 1860 when this
particular US Model 1855 Rifle was manufactured, only 8,600 were made at
Springfield. Surviving examples are scarce in any condition, particularly when
one learns that these rifles, being state of the art at the time, were
immediately pressed into service by both the Union and Confederate Armies upon
the commencement of hostilities in 1861 and were used throughout the war.
This particular rifle musket functions
perfectly and remains in firing conditions.