Confederate “Captured and Collected” Marked Model 1863 Springfield Rifle-Musket / SOLD

Confederate “Captured and Collected” Marked Model 1863 Springfield Rifle-Musket - Inventory Number:  RIF 164 / SOLD

In their desperate need for serviceable military arms, the Confederate Ordnance Bureau developed a system to recover, clean, repair, inspect, and reissue arms captured from Union soldiers and gleaned from the battlefield. Over 200,000 small arms of all types were eventually processed, with inspection stamp letters A, F, Q, T, and Z applied to the reissued guns, typically just in front of the trigger guard. This example is a Model 1863 Springfield with a Confederate cleaned and repaired inspector marking “Q” in front of the trigger guard. 

The Model 1863 was a .58 caliber rifle-musket manufactured by the Springfield Armory and independent contractors between 1863 and 1865. The Model 1863 was only a minor improvement over the Model 1861. As such, it is sometimes classified as just a variant of the Model 1861. The Model 1861, with all of its variants, was the most commonly used longarm in the American Civil War, with over 700,000 manufactured. The Model 1863 also has the distinction of being the last muzzle-loading longarm produced by the Springfield Armory. It was produced in two variants. The Type I eliminated the band springs and replaced the flat barrel bands with oval clamping bands. It also featured a new ramrod, a case-hardened lock, a new hammer, and a redesigned bolster. Several of these modifications were based upon Colt's contract Model 1861, known as the "Colt special". 273,265 Type I variants were manufactured in 1863. The Type II is sometimes referred to as the Model 1864 but is more commonly referred to as just a variant of the Model 1863. This version re-introduced band springs, replaced the clamping bands with solid oval bands, and replaced the three-leaf rear sight with single leaf sight. A total of 255,040 of these were manufactured from 1864 to 1865.

This Model 1863 Type I was produced at Springfield Armory in 1863. All metal surfaces are bright with light pitting. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. The stock is in good condition with the typical dings and dents from service and has two visible cartouches opposite the lock, as well is a carved rectangle that may be an unfinished relief carving by a soldier. The ramrod is the original, correct type 1 version without the retaining swell. The barrel is faintly dated 1863 with “VP” and eagle proof marks. The lock plate is dated 1864 and marked “U.S. SPRINGFIELD.  The action is tight and functions on all positions, and the cone is a correct replacement. The barrel retains the original rear sight, complete with both leaves. A sharp, attractive example of the Model 1863 with the scarce Confederate captured and repaired marking. 

 Inventory Number:  RIF 164 / SOLD