Model 1863 Type I Rifle Musket manufactured by the Springfield Armory in 1864. The musket has the distinctive Model 1863 Type I screw-fastened barrel bands, straight shank ramrod with tulip head, stock with no band springs, beveled hammer contour and bolster with no provision for a clean-out screw. The barrel, bands, trigger guard and buttplate are "National Armory Bright" and the lockplate and hammer have a color casehardened finish. The barrel is fitted with a blued rear sight with 100, 300 and 500 yard leafs. The black walnut stock has an oil finish. The heel of the buttplate is stamped with the "U.S." property mark. The lockplate is dated "1864" behind the hammer and roll-stamped with the eagle and shield motif followed by "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" in two lines in front of the hammer. A smaller eagle and shield is stamped on the bolster face. The top of the barrel is dated "1863" and the left flat is stamped with "V/P/Eagle head" proof and inspection marks. The left stock flat is stamped with the final inspectors' mark consisting of the script initials "ESA" in and oval and a sub-inspection mark consisting of three script initials in a rectangle. Single initial sub-inspection marks are stamped on most major components. A rack number "16" is stamped on the heel of the buttplate. The Model 1863 Rifle-Musket was a simplified version of the Model 1861 Rifle-Musket which incorporated some features found on the Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket and was manufactured only by Springfield Armory. The Model 1863 Rifle-Musket was one of the primary federal infantry weapons during the final year of the Civil War.

Excellent plus. The musket was apparently issued as evidenced by the rack number on the butt but remains in un-fired condition. The barrel, bands, trigger guard and buttplate retain nearly all of the "National Armory Bright" finish. The trigger, hammer and lockplate have 98% or more of the color casehardened finish and the rear sight has nearly all of the dull blue finish. There is no flash pitting or evidence of firing wear on the percussion nipple, bolster or barrel. The markings on the lockplate, bolster, barrel and buttplate are extremely crisp. The stock is nearly new and retains the original oil finish. Edges are sharp and the wood has un-touched 'feathered' grain. The final inspection and sub-inspection stamps on the left stock flat are perfect. This is an outstanding example of a key Civil War Springfield Model 1863 Rile-Musket that would be almost impossible to improve upon.