OE - GOOD - some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal legible; lightly scratched, bruised or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.

WW - WOOD IS WORSE FOR THE PERCENT FINISH RATING GIVEN

The Mississippi Rifle owes its name to the successful use of the weapon by a Mississippi regiment under the command of Jefferson Davis in the Mexican War. In its period of manufacture and use, military authorities even then regarded the Model 1841 as the best of its type. The barrel was blue with casehardened lock and hammer and brass fittings. It is equipped with a brass blade front sight and a V-notch rear. The left rear of the barrel is marked "AW / P" and "V / P / eagle head". The lock is marked with the "eagle/U.S." in front of the hammer and " HARPERS / FERRY / 1846" behind the hammer. Full straight grip stock with brass patchbox and buttplate. The ram rod is a replacement.

Fair. The barrel shows some traces of blue finish, otherwise it's a rust brown patina. Some of the faded case colors remain on the lock and hammer mixed with a smooth silver patina. All the brass is an aged patina with some discoloration on the patchbox. The stock is fair with large chips at the barrel tang, a hole through the forearm and the rear barrel band lock missing. There are a series of small holes behind the barrel tang where something was mounted at one time. The underside of the forearm in front of the trigger guard has a few minor cracks and one behind the lock. The stock remains solid. Mechanically sound.