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[krag96]

Now that I retired, I have time to add to my personal collection of American Civil War small arms.  Proposed February 1863 and put into production in March with the further improved 1864 beginning production in December of that year, the national armory at Springfield produced almost 250,000 of this model in just nine months. 

 

Unlike the Royal Marine Artillery Rifle I previously added, this Springfield has seen plenty of combat by the looks of it, yet remains in very good condition attesting to the care it received during it's term in service.

 

 

 

 

The walnut stock behind the bolster, (under the hammer arch and above the Eagle) and the bolster itself showing wear indicating the many shots it's fired.  The blast from the percussion cap/primer would wear the wood as well as the small eagle on the bolster drum away in time.

 

 

Relative sharp corners and two legible cartouches indicate the weapon was never refinished.

 

 

View Proof and Eagle head indicating acceptance after inspection.

 

 

A few battle scars and normal wear from war issuance, the worst being a sliver of wood missing along the barrel channel between the upper and middle barrel bands along the left side.

 

 

All in all a very good example of a primary issue rifle that's seen the last two plus years of the war.