The Fayetteville rifles were copies of the U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1855 rifle manufactured with machinery captured from the U.S. arsenals at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and Fayetteville, North Carolina. An estimated 8,000-9,000 of these well-made rifles were manufactured between 1862-1865. Features a blade front sight, bayonet lug on the right, blued rear sight with flip-up leafs (absent bottom leaf), iron ramrod with tulip head, iron forearm cap, brass barrel bands, trigger guard and buttplate. The lock plate is "1862" dated at the rear and marked ahead of the hammer with an eagle and shield above "C.S.A." followed by "FAYETTEVILLE". "V/P/eagle head" proofs stamped on the left quarter of the breech, with an illegible date marking on top of the breech. The heel of the buttplate is stamped "CSA".

Good as Confederate used and subsequently period converted to smoothbore, exhibits mostly a smooth brown patina on the barrel with some period characteristic flash pitting, and sharp markings on the lock with scattered pitting. Brass exhibits an attractive age darkened golden patina. Stock is also good as re-oiled, with a repaired split in the wrist, a crack visible on the left ahead of the rear lock screw, and numerous scattered period scars. Absent lower leaf on the rear sight. Mechanically fine.