This rifle is one of 8,879 rebored at the national armories to .58 caliber. It has a small blade front sight, saber bayonet lug on the right, notch and folding ladder "long range" rear sight graduated out to 1,100 yards, standard lock markings, "1851" dated lock tail and barrel tang, brass furniture, and standard proofmarks on the barrel at the breech. The Model 1841 rifles were one of the main arms of the U.S. forces during the Mexican-American War and were also among the best arms available at the beginning of the Civil War despite newer models. They were especially important in the South where newer arms were hard to come by. They were accurate, powerful, and reliable, and the fact that Confederate President Jefferson Davis had led the Mississippi Rifles during the Mexican-American War certainly would have helped the old "Mississippi" rifle's reputation throughout the South.

Very good. The iron surfaces have a light gray and brown patina, some small spots of oxidation and slight pitting, and minor scratches and marks. There is a group of marks on the barrel and gouges on the stock. The brass has an attractive aged patina. The stock is good and has scattered chips, dings, and scrapes. No cartouche is visible. The lock functions fine, and the markings are mostly crisp.