The Springfield M1861 rifle musket was the primary Civil War shoulder arm. Fixed blade front sight/ bayonet lug and folding rear sight on a barrel marked with "V / P/ eagle head" proofs on the upper left side. The lock plate is dated 1865 with "U.S. / SPRINGFIELD" and an eagle with shield ahead of the hammer. The barrel bands are marked "U". Black walnut, oil-finished stock and smooth military buttplate marked "U.S." on the tang. The left stock flat is marked with a "HS" cartouche. With a tulip head type ramrod with swelled shank. There is no visible date on the barrel tang.

Very good. The bright finish has turned to a dull gray patina with some dark spotting and patches of smooth dark patina near the breech. The lock plate and hammer exhibit a smooth dark patina. The buttplate has some minor surface rust. There are some fine surface scratches and some minor flash pitting. The stock is very good with some minor dings, dents, chips and scratches, a few large chips and some moderate gouges. The buttstock has a few large dents. The markings are clear. The "1865" dated lock plate is a period replacement.