Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War
	Civil War Weapons, all pre 1898
	by Harry Ridgeway

Rifled percussion musket, Special Model 1861, subcontract Colt, 1863, .58cal. . The Model 1861 was the primary musket at the start of the Civil War. Musket was designed as a single shot, rifled, muzzleloader utilizing the .58 cal. elongated minie ball. Springfield Armory supervised the manufacturing and distribution of the Model 1861 muskets. In order to fulfill shortages, production was sub- contracted to a number of private manufacturers. The Special Model 1861 contract represented a transition from the Model 1861 design and incorporated many of the features eventually adopted in the Model 1863 regulation, namely the contoured hammer, flat bolster and removal of band springs. Colt Fire Arms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, Connecticut produced approximately 70,000 muskets under this contract. Manufactured by Colt Fire Arms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, Connecticut. Marks: Lock is marked 1863 behind the hammer, U.S. / COLT'S PT- F. A. MFG- CO- / HARTFORD, CT- in front. Bolster depicts and eagle. Barrel is marked VP over eagle head, (date), STEEL with additional inspector stampings. Buttplate is marked US. Three bands each marked U. Trigger guard is marked. Cartouche on wood on left side indicate government inspection. Model features: The Special Model 1861 contract represented a transition from the Model 1861 design and incorporated many of the features eventually adopted in the Model 1863 regulation, namely the contoured hammer, flat bolster and removal of band springs. Musket was designed as a single shot 58 cal. rifled muzzleloader, iron buttplate, contoured hammer, bolster is milled flat eliminating the clean out screw, three leaf sight, three barrel bands are rounded with tightening screws secured by internal springs, ramrod is tulip head with end threaded, shank is straight bulge removed, two strap hooks, iron nose cap. Research Center: Weapon1523-Musket-Model-1861-Colt-1863 . Reference: Flayderman 5B-255. Barrel length. 40in. Details click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon1523-Musket-Model-1861-Colt-1863.html

W1122 ### Rifled percussion musket, Special Model 1861, subcontract Colt, 1863, .58cal. . The Model 1861 was the primary musket at the start of the Civil War. Musket was designed as a single shot, rifled, muzzleloader utilizing the .58 cal. elongated minie ball. Springfield Armory supervised the manufacturing and distribution of the Model 1861 muskets. In order to fulfill shortages, production was sub- contracted to a number of private manufacturers. The Special Model 1861 contract represented a transition from the Model 1861 design and incorporated many of the features eventually adopted in the Model 1863 regulation, namely the contoured hammer, flat bolster and removal of band springs. Colt Fire Arms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, Connecticut produced approximately 70,000 muskets under this contract. Manufactured by Colt Fire Arms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, Connecticut. Marks: Lock is marked 1863 behind the hammer, U.S. / COLT'S PT- F. A. MFG- CO- / HARTFORD, CT- in front. Bolster depicts and eagle. Barrel is marked VP over eagle head, (date), STEEL with additional inspector stampings. Buttplate is marked US. Three bands each marked U. Trigger guard is marked. Cartouche on wood on left side indicate government inspection. Model features: The Special Model 1861 contract represented a transition from the Model 1861 design and incorporated many of the features eventually adopted in the Model 1863 regulation, namely the contoured hammer, flat bolster and removal of band springs. Musket was designed as a single shot 58 cal. rifled muzzleloader, iron buttplate, contoured hammer, bolster is milled flat eliminating the clean out screw, three leaf sight, three barrel bands are rounded with tightening screws secured by internal springs, ramrod is tulip head with end threaded, shank is straight bulge removed, two strap hooks, iron nose cap. Research Center: Weapon1523-Musket-Model-1861-Colt-1863 . Reference: Flayderman 5B-255. Barrel length. 40in.

This is the "Ridgeway Civil War Research Center", a research tool for educational purposes only, and is provided at no cost to the reader. Some of the relics listed are retained in the author's collection, most reside in other collections and are not owned by the author. None of the items listed in this section are for sale, please refer to relicman.com sales listings for items offered for sale. This is a work in progress, I list items as I get to them, there are many patterns that are not listed yet, this list will be regularly updated as I get pictures and descriptions for more items. I will also correct mistakes, so if you see any please tell me. All items listed are believed to be authentic to the Civil War or as otherwise described. Any excavated relics have been recovered from private property with owners permission.This information is available for research purposes, pictures may be used by permission only.

All weapons listed on this webpage are strictly manufactured before 1898, and are considered unsafe for actual use. These are antique collectible weapons of the Civil War (most are pre 1865, unless I state otherwise) and actual firing of these weapons is not recommended for any purpose whatsoever! Because these are all "pre 1898" weapons, no licenses are required for ownership, but common sense and good judgment should be applied.

Most information on this page is from:
Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms......
John Thillman series, "Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers...", or "Civil War Army Swords....".

Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War Weapons Research center, weapons, click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon0000-Index.html. Research center, weapons, click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon0000-Index.html.

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Civil War Relicman, Harry Ridgeway, Civil War weapons, Relicman sales catalog. Sale listings click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Relicman-Sales-Weapon0000.html. Sale listings click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Relicman-Sales-Weapon0000.html.