This is a desirable example of a U.S. Model 1841 Harpers Ferry "Mississippi" Rifle that was originally manufactured in 1854 and was later modified by Harpers Ferry with the later 1855 arsenal alterations. These alterations consisted of: (1) shorting the stock forend, (2) installation of a new shorter forward barrel band, (3) brazing a lug for a saber bayonet on the right side of the barrel, (4) reboring the barrel from .54 to .58 caliber and (5) installation of a "long range" folding leaf rear sight. The rear of the lock plate is marked "HARPERS/FERRY/1854" vertically at the rear with the Eagle and Shield motif above "U.S." stamped in front of the hammer. The left side of the barrel is stamped "WW/P" followed by the usual arsenal "V/P/Eagle Head" proof with the tang dated "1855". The rear sight is graduated/marked on the face of the ladder with the right side of the sight base marked "2/3/4". Straight grip stock with brass furniture, "JLR" stamped on the left flat and a brass patch box on the right side of the butt that holds one percussion nipple. The buttplate tang is stamped "B61." These rifles saw extensive service during the first several years of the Civil War in both the Union and Confederate Armies and are a primary Civil War collection piece.