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Item No.:	10793	Price :	$6,950.00
Item :	VERY FINE, HARPER'S FERRY U.S. MODEL 1855 RIFLE-MUSKET, .58 CALIBER

Description :

This is an original, Civil War, U.S. Model 1855 Type II Rifle-Musket manufactured at Harpers Ferry Armory in 1858. The Model 1855 was the first U.S. Musket 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 musket 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 had only made 12,158 of this type before being destroyed at the start of the Civil War. This musket is in very fine condition. It remains armory bright with some brown speckling on the lock plate, on the barrel bands, butt plate, and on the barrel along the barrel channel. There is a little light pitting around the bolster from cap flash. The rear sight retains most of its blued finish with a few brown patina specks. The mechanics are excellent with the Maynard device functioning properly. The bore is in fine condition with strong rifling along the barrel's length. There are a few light rust speckles or pits, but it is mostly shiny. The stock is very fine with crisp inspector's cartouches and initials. There is an old, small chip at the front of the lock mortise. Otherwise there are a few small dings and scratches overall from use or storage. The Model 1855 Harpers ferry is a desirable musket and this is a very nice example. Stock no. 32695

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