Reportedly 273,265 Springfield Model 1863 Type I rifle-muskets were manufactured c. 1863-1864 with the screw fastened barrel bands. Springfield Model 1863 rifle-muskets are described on pages 324-327 of George D. Moller's book "American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III", with this exact rifle photographed on page 325. These rifles are significant in the history of U.S. martial arms, as they armed Union troops and saw widespread use in the latter years of the Civil War. Solid blade front and 500 yard two-leaf rear sight. Casehardened 1863 dated "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" marked lock. Armory bright 1863 dated barrel, ramrod, trigger, trigger guard, and "US" marked buttplate. Blued bands and rear sight. The left stock flat is marked with circled script cartouches "TBH" and "ESA" (Erskine S. Allin), and the right of the buttstock is marked with a large eagle and shield over "WHITNEY ARMS CO". Eli Whitney Jr. reorganized his family's business in 1863 as the Whitney Arms Co. and is known to have purchased condemned and leftover parts from the U.S. armories as well as other outside contractors primarily to sell to states and militia units, with some sources stating these Model 1863 rifle-muskets with the Whitney stamp were likely assembled post-Civil War. Regardless, this example is as it would have been from Springfield. Includes a US socket bayonet, reproduction leather sling, and wood tampion. Provenance: The George Moller Collection