US Mexican-American War Remington M-1841 Mississippi Rifle .54 Cal Antique

SOLD FOR: $1,236

WOA#: WY240311JH004

Make: Remington

Model: M-1841 “Mississippi” Rifle

Serial Number: NSNV

Year of Manufacture: 1848

Caliber: .54 Cal Black Powder Only

Action Type: Percussion Muzzleloader

Markings: The lock plate is marked “U.S. 1848 / REMINGTON’S HERKIMER N.Y.”. The barrel is marked “V / P”. The stock is marked “20” behind the receiver tang.

Barrel Length: 33”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a small blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a flip up ladder sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a single piece full length hardwood with a brass endcap, one brass barrel band, a straight grip, straight comb, and a brass buttplate. There are two sling loops and a brass patchbox in the right side of the buttstock. There are pressure dents and scratches throughout. The wood has shrunk from age. There are no cracks. There are scattered chips throughout. The wood has been refinished. The LOP measures 14” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in at about Very Good overall condition for an Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued (Originally)

Finish Originality: Refinished (Polished to white)

Bore Condition: The bore is rusted, the rifling is faint. There is moderate erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates at a 4/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about None of its metal finish. The steel and brass have been cleaned and polished. The barrel has specks of pitting throughout. The hammer and lock plate are rusted. The markings are worn. The ramrod is in good condition. The screw heads are moderately worn. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition as an 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: None

Our Assessment: The Remington Model 1841 “Mississippi” Rifle, often simply referred to as the “Mississippi Rifle”, owes its name to the successful use of the weapon by a Mississippi regiment under the command of Jefferson Davis (the future president of the Confederacy) in the Mexican-American War. It’s regarded by many collectors as one of the most handsome of all percussion US military longarms, and in its period of manufacture and use, military authorities even then regarded the Mississippi Rifle as the best of its type. Chambered in .54 caliber, it featured a rifled barrel, providing improved accuracy and range compared to smoothbore muskets of the time. Its percussion cap ignition system, relatively new at the time, was more reliable than the flintlock mechanism that preceded it. The Mississippi Rifle had a 33″ barrel and an overall length of approximately 49″, and exhibited a distinctive, elegant appearance with its brass furniture, including the buttplate, patchbox, trigger guard, barrel band, and nose cap. After the Mexican-American War, the Mississippi Rifle continued to see use during the US Civil War, primarily in the hands of Confederate forces. Its accuracy and stopping power made it a formidable weapon, particularly in the hands of skilled marksmen. -R.E.