This U.S. Model 1863 Rifle Musket was manufactured by Springfield Armory in 1864. The musket has the distinctive Model 1863 bevel-edged hammer, bolster with no provision for clean-out screw, screw-fastened barrel bands and straight shank, tulip-head ramrod. The barrel, forend cap, barrel bands, trigger guard and buttplate are "National Armory Bright". The two-leaf rear sight is blued and the hammer and lock plate have a casehardened finish. The stock is oil-finished black walnut. The lock plate is dated "1863" behind the hammer and the top of the barrel is dated "1864". The lock plate is roll-stamped with the Springfield Armory Eagle/Shield motif in front of the hammer followed by "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" in two lines. A small Eagle/Shield motif is stamped on the face of the percussion nipple bolster. The left barrel flat is stamped with the "V/P/Eagle Head" proof and inspection marks. "U.S." is stamped on the heel of the buttplate. An Ordnance Sub-inspection mark consisting of three script initials in a rectangle and the script "ESA" final inspection mark are stamped on the left stock flat. A two-initial Sub-inspection mark is stamped on the underside of the stock behind the trigger guard. The Model 1863 Type I Rifle Musket combined features of the Model 1861 Special Rifle Musket and the Model 1861 Rifle Musket and was the standard Federal infantry long arm during the last two years of the Civil War.

Excellent. The musket is completely original and appears to be in un-issued condition. The barrel and bright-finished furniture have been lightly cleaned. The case colors on the lock plate and hammer are 80% plus intact and slightly faded. The markings on the lock plate and barrel are crisp. The stock is in excellent condition with raised feathered grain and sharp edges surrounding the lock plate, in the barrel channel and on the left flat. The Ordnance inspection marks on the left stock flat are crisp. With minor storage marks on the left stock flat. Mechanically excellent. This is an exceptionally good example of an important Civil War rifle musket.