This Confederate percussion rifle was manufactured by the Fayetteville Armory in North Carolina in 1864. This rifle has a low profile lock plate dated "1864", "S" shaped hammer, and barrel with block-style front sight for socket bayonet. It is correctly fitted with a brass forearm cap, trigger guard, buttplate, and flat barrel bands secured by band springs. The rifle is fitted with a straight shank, iron ramrod with tulip head. The stock is straight grain American walnut. In addition to the "1864" date behind the hammer, the lock plate is stamped with a small eagle and shield above "C.S.A." followed by "FAYETTEVILLE". The top of the barrel is dated "1864," and the left side is stamped with "eagle head", "P" and "V" proof and inspection marks. The two barrel bands are stamped "U" facing the band springs. The heel of the buttplate is stamped "C.S.A." in front of the buttplate screw. The left stock flat is stamped with the large oval inspection mark found on some "Type IV" Fayetteville rifles. The left stock flat is also marked with the deeply cut soldier initials "B. C" followed by a maltese cross. The cross could be the Army of the Potomac V Corps insignia which would indicate the rifle was a war trophy. The Fayetteville rifles were a copies of the U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1855 rifle manufactured with machinery captured from the U.S. arsenals at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and Fayetteville, North Carolina. An estimated 8,000-9,000 of these well-made rifles were manufactured between 1862 and 1855; approximately 5000 of these rifles were "Type IV" rifles. Included with the rifle are copies of information relating to Isaac Bullivant and the 15th Regiment of New York Heavy Artillery. The 15th was part of the artillery reserve attached to the V Corps and participated in numerous important battles in Virginia including the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Hatcher's Run, and Appomattox Court House.

Good. The rifle is in above average condition for a Confederate weapon. The barrel has an untouched deep brown age patina, with light-moderate moderate age texture. There is moderate-heavy flash pitting on the bolster, percussion nipple, portions of the barrel adjacent to the bolster, barrel tang, hammer and upper portions of the lock plate. A small chip is missing from the top of the lock plate behind the nipple bolster. The barrel date is nearly obscured by flash pitting but the barrel proof and inspection marks and lock plate markings are clear. The oval "P.B." inspection mark on the left stock flat is faint but visible. The original rear sight is missing and the rifle has a period replacement, handmade, fixed rear sight. The tulip head ramrod appears to be of the period of the rifle. The brass, forearm cap, barrel bands, trigger guard and buttplate have not been polished and have a very attractive, untouched patina. The stock is in good condition with handling wear on the left flat, considerable edge wear around the rear of the lock plate, and a six-inch chip on the left edge of the ramrod channel ahead of the lower barrel band. This is a desirable example of a one of the best made Confederate shoulder arms.