Model 1861 .58 Cal Rifle-Musket Norwich Arms Co. Norwich Connecticut 1863
SOLD FOR: $1,075.00
LSB#: WY240730SA002
Make: Norwich Arms Company
Model: Model 1861 Rifle- Musket
Serial Number: NVSN
Year of Manufacture: 1863
Caliber: .58 Caliber Percussion
Action Type: Single Shot Cap and Minié ball
Markings: The lock plate is marked with “U.S. Norwich” and behind the lock”1863 “. The left side of the barrel is marked “VP” over Eagle head over “P”. The right side of the barrel bands are marked “U”. The bolster is marked with an eagle and the nipple bright. All markings are crisp. The musket’s original tulip-head steel ramrod with swell retains its threaded tip. Both sling swivels are present and all three barrel bands are stamped with a “U.” Iron buttplate has a strong “US” stamped on the tang with a very small “L” stamped near the heel.
Barrel Length: The barrel is 39” in length.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade fixed to the front barrel brand. The rear sight is an articulating blade with a “u’ notch , the forward sight that would have been marked “5” is broken off. The blue sight base is marked “G” on the left side.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one piece walnut with a straight grip, flat steel buttplate, a steel trigger guard and a steel nose-cap. The forend, which reaches to about 3” from the muzzle, is held with three steel barrel bands. The underside of the forend and the nose-cap are grooved for a ramrod (included). The wood is brighter than should be observed and appears to be refinished with oil staining. The stock has a lacquered finish which is mostly worn off under some of the barrel bands. There are a few dings and bruises in the stock, more in the forend. The LOP measures 13.1” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate fits the butt well but is slightly proud of the wood. The buttplate has been all but clean of its scuffs. The buttplate is in about Very Good condition. The stock rates in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: The patina on the metal has been cleaned; the original finish on the barrel and lock-plate were “blue”, with the rest of the furnishings as well.
Finish Originality: There are no indications that the metal was ever refinished. Just cleaned of all patina and surface rust and corrosion in an effort of preservation.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no notable erosion in the bore. A 9.5/10 bore rating in this writer’s opinion
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 1% of its metal finish. The barrel, barrel bands and hammer had developed rust solid erosion throughout. The lock-plate is smooth. The trigger guard is bright. The screw heads are tool-marked with strong slots. The markings are clear, but the cartouches have been removed through cleaning. The sling is in very good condition. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The spring action is strong; The nipple is not deformed and is intact. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The sling and ramrod.
Our Assessment: Here we present an antique U.S. Model 1861 Rifle-Musket, made on contract by James D. Mowry of Norwich Arms Co. of Norwich, Connecticut circa 1863. Only about 22,000 of these rifles came out of this contract, quite a small number when compared to the total. The Model 1861 is representative of the “everyman’s” rifle during the American Civil 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 overall condition is good. The action is excellent. Both the lock and barrel are dated “1863”.We never know the stories on these relics which is the allure for most of us as collectors. So bid high and bid firm. I highly encourage you to take a look at the condition in our high quality photos. Good luck on your bid. -K.F.