Manufactured with machinery captured from the U.S. Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in 1861, the Richmond Armory Rifle Muskets conformed to the same general configuration as the U.S. Model 1855 Rifle Muskets. This example was pictured and described in Paul Davies' study "C.S. Armory Richmond" (page 1) and was formerly of the Fredrick Goldbecker Collection. (Davies' book is included with the lot.) This example is a Type I, the earliest manufactured units with a full humpback lock plate marked "RICHMOND VA" ahead of the hammer and "1861" marked vertically at the rear. The top of the barrel is also dated "1861." Type Is were manufactured under the State of Virginia before the armory was turned over to the Confederate government. Bright finish with casehardened lock and hammer. It is fitted with a front that acts as a lug for a socket type bayonet and a three leaf rear sight. The left side of the barrel has "V/P/Eagle Head" proofs/inspection marks (faint). The left stock flat is stamped with a recut "SA" (Salmon Adams, Master Armorer at Richmond Armory) cartouche and a "JAS" cartouche (John A. Schaeffer, Foreman, Harpers Ferry Arsenal Stock Finishing Shop). The rear barrel band is marked with the letter "U." The full length stock is fitted with a brass forend cap. The musket has an iron straight shank ramrod with tulip head.