Model 1841 Percussion Rifle manufactured by the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1853. The Harpers Ferry Armory manufactured 25,296 Model 1841 Rifles between 1846 and 1855. The Model 1841 Rifle was nick-named the "Mississippi" rifle because it was used with distinction by the 1st Mississippi Volunteer Infantry Regiment, commanded by Colonel Jefferson Davis at the Battle of Buena Vista in 1847. It was the first regulation percussion longarm produced with a rifled barrel. The rifle has a round barrel with brass half-moon front sight and fixed "v" notch rear sight. The barrel has a brown lacquer finish. The lock plate and hammer are color casehardened. The upper and lower barrel bands, side plate, trigger guard, buttplate, and distinctive over-sized patch box are brass. The rifle has a bright, steel trumpet shaped ramrod with brass tip. The stock is straight grain American walnut. The flat, bevel-edged lock plate is roll-stamped: "HARPERS/FERRY/1853" in three vertical lines behind the hammer. The Harpers Ferry eagle and shield motif and "U.S." are stamped in front of the hammer. The barrel tang is dated "1853" and the left side of the barrel is stamped with two "W" sub-inspection marks, followed by "V/P/Eaglehead" proof and inspection marks. The Ordnance final inspection stamp consisting of the block initials "JLE" is stamped on the left stock flat. A rack number "15" is stamped directly behind the barrel tang. Most M1841 rifles were altered to accept the .58 caliber expanding base conical bullet ("Minie Ball") between 1855 and the start of the Civil War. Some of these rifles were also fitted with various long range sites as well as saber and socket bayonets between 1855-1861. Large numbers of M1841 Rifles were stored in arsenals located in the Southern states in 1861; when the Civil War began these rifles were issued to Confederate units. The Mississippi Rifle remained a popular Confederate weapon throughout the Civil War. A significant number of Federal Infantry regiments were also armed with M1841 rifle during the first two years of the war. The U.S. Model 1841 Rifle is considered by many collectors to be the most handsome of all U.S. percussion longarms and the best percussion rifle manufactured.

Good as partially refinished (barrel). The rifle has none of the post 1855 alterations. The barrel retains at least half of the faded artificial brown lacquer finish. The barrel surfaces are smooth and there is minimal flash pitting on the nipple bolster and adjacent areas of the barrel. The rifling is sharp. The casehardened finish on the lock plate and hammer has faded to a mottled, silver-gray, patina. The date on the barrel tang is crisp and the inspection, view and proof marks are clear. The hammer has some light flash pitting but the surface of the lock plate is smooth. The lock plate markings are sharp. The hammer is original to the rifle and has not been altered for the .58 caliber ball. The brass barrel bands, side plate, trigger guard, patch box and buttplate have a attractive age patina with minor stains and handling marks. The stock is in very good overall condition with moderate handling wear. The edges of the lock plate mortise and barrel channel show light-moderate handling wear. The inspection mark on the left stock flat is light but legible. This is a solid representative example of a Harpers Ferry Model 1841 Percussion Rifle that was probably issued to a state militia unit prior to 1861 and very possible saw service during the Civil War.