Type III Rifle Musket manufactured by the Richmond Armory, Richmond, Virginia, in 1864. Manufactured with machinery captured from the U.S. Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in 1861, the Richmond Armory Rifle Muskets conformed to the same general configuration as the U.S. Model 1855 Rifle Muskets. Richmond Armory Rifle Muskets were produced in greater numbers than all other Confederate long arms manufactured during the Civil War. The musket barrel, lock, barrel bands, and trigger guard are finished "National Armory Bright". The forend cap and buttplate are brass. The stock is oil-finished black walnut. The musket has the distinctive "Type III" low humpback lock used from 1862 to 1865. The lock plate is dated "1864" vertically behind the hammer and stamped "C.S./RICHMOND,VA" in two lines ahead of the hammer. The top of the barrel is dated "1864" and the left flat is stamped with "V/P/Eagle Head" proof and inspection marks. A "W" inspection mark is stamped on the left side of the barrel above the stock line and on the left side of the two-leaf "1858 Style" rear sight. The brass forend cap is secured by a screw. The musket has an iron straight shank ramrod with tulip head.

Excellent for a Confederate weapon. The musket barrel has a brown patina with scattered pitting and age discoloration. The barrel bands have scattered pitting. Flash pitting on the barrel, bolster and lock plate is minimal. The surfaces of the lock plate and hammer are smooth. The lock plate and barrel markings are sharp. The stock is in good overall condition. The edges surrounding the lock plate and the left flat are rounded from handling. There is a minor crack in the left side of the stock near the buttplate tang. A very faint oval inspection mark is visible on the left stock flat. The ramrod channel will accept a U.S. Model 1863 straight shank ramrod. This is a good looking representative example of a Richmond Armory assembled Rifle Musket.