Robbins and Lawrence 1841 33″ .58 Cal Mississippi Percussion Rifle
SOLD FOR: $1,428.00
LSB#: LSB251205WO010
Make: Robbins and Lawrence
Model: 1841 Mississippi pattern
Serial Number: NSNV
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1840s
Caliber: .58 Cal Black Powder Only
Action Type: Single Shot Percussion Muzzleloader.
Markings: The lock plate is marked “Robbins and Lawrence, US” and “Windsor, VT 1840”
Barrel Length: 33″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade soldered into the end of the barre. The rear sight is a brass notch dovetailed into the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a single piece hardwood with a brass endcap & sling loop, one brass barrel band, a straight grip, straight comb, with a brass buttplate. There are two sling loops and a brass trap door in the right side of the buttstock. The LOP measures 13.75″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are scratches, handling wear, and compression dents throughout. There is a large chip at the top of the wrist. There are two inspectors’ cartouches visible. There are no cracks. Overall this stock rates in Very Good condition for a Pre Civil War antique.
Type of Finish: Browned, Color Case, and Brass
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is defined. There is even erosion and corrosion pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates at a 5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about None of its metal finish. The barrel and lockplate has worn to brown patina. There is corrosion staining and heavy pitting at the breech. The hammer is chipped. The brass has aged and tarnished typical of a rifle of this vintage.The screw heads are moderately worn. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good to Very Good condition for a Pre Civil War antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: ramrod.
Our Assessment: The Robbins and Lawrence Model 1841 Mississippi rifle represents one of the most important transitional arms in early American military history. Produced in Windsor, Vermont and marked “Robbins and Lawrence, US” with the 1840 date on the lock, this rifle predates the Civil War and reflects the expanding industrial capability of the young republic. The Model 1841 earned its “Mississippi” nickname after its noted use by Jefferson Davis and the 1st Mississippi Rifles during the Mexican American War. With its 33 inch barrel, brass furniture, and distinctive half stock configuration, this pattern marked a departure from earlier smoothbore muskets and foreshadowed the rifled infantry arms that would soon dominate mid nineteenth century battlefields.
Originally produced in .54 caliber and often later altered to .58 caliber to accommodate expanding ammunition standards, the .58 bore became the dominant American military rifle caliber of the 1850s and 1860s. This example remains in .58 caliber, with a dark bore showing defined rifling and even corrosion and erosion consistent with its age. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5 out of 10. The barrel and lock have aged to a brown patina with corrosion staining and heavier pitting noted at the breech, while the brass furniture has developed an even, mellow tarnish appropriate to a rifle of this vintage.
The single piece hardwood stock is fitted with brass buttplate, patchbox trapdoor, barrel band, and sling loops, maintaining the classic lines of the Mississippi pattern. The stock shows handling wear, compression dents, and a large chip at the top of the wrist, yet remains free of cracks and retains two visible inspector cartouches, enhancing its historical appeal. Mechanically, the percussion action functions correctly, and the rifle includes its ramrod. Overall, this Robbins and Lawrence 1841 stands as a compelling pre Civil War martial rifle that bridges the era between frontier percussion arms and the mass produced rifled muskets of the 1860s. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids! MF