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Item No.:	10251	Price :	$6,995.00
Item :	HARPERS FERRY U.S. MODEL 1855 RIFLE, 1860 MFG., .58 CALIBER

Description :

This is an original, Civil War, U.S. Model 1855 Rifle manufactured at Harpers Ferry Armory in 1860. The Model 1855 was the first U.S. type specifically designed to fire the new "Minie" ball ammunition. It was .58 caliber and fitted with the Maynard Tape Primer Device. This allowed, in theory, a new cap to be advanced to the percussion cone each time the musket was cocked, eliminating the need to manually cap the weapon for each shot. In practice it did not work well and was eliminated on the later Model 1861 Rifle-Musket. This was the primary rifle in the hands of the troops at the beginning of the Civil War. The Model 1855 soldiered on throughout the conflict, side by side with the later types. Harpers Ferry Armory only made about 8,700 of this type before the armory was captured and destroyed by the Confederacy. This rifle is in very good to fine condition. It has been cleaned leaving a speckled steel patina overall. The speckling is heavier in the area around the bolster where some pitting took place. The gun has excellent mechanics with the lock and Maynard device working correctly. The bore is in fine condition. There are a few speckles, but the rifling is strong along the barrel's length. The stock is in fine condition with a visible cartouche on the left flat. There are a few small dings from use. This is a scarce Civil War rifle in nice condition. Stock no. 29793

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