Richmond Type III Three Band Rifle Musket
Item #: WR1004
Click on an image to enlarge
This is a Type III Richmond Rifle Musket manufactured at the Richmond Armory in 1863. The total number of these weapons produced is unknown, but they were made in larger quantities than any other Confederate long arm manufactured during the Civil War. The weapon has an overall length of 56 1/4", with a barrel length of 40". The barrel has a mottled plum steel gray patina, showing some pitting and pinpricking around the bolster and breech area. The bore shows light pitting and rust, but still has very visible rifling showing. At the muzzle it gauges out at .62 caliber, so this one did some shooting! The rear leaf sight is still present, but has been removed to verify this as a correct barrel by the stabilizer cut for the sight. There is no date on the barrel or tang, so I'm not sure if this is a Model 1855 barrel from Harper's Ferry or a Richmond barrel. The proof marks of V, P and an eagle head on the left barrel facet have me leaning towards the Harper's Ferry. The front sight is incorporated into the bayonet lug. The ramrod for this musket is a tulip head swelled rod. The three iron barrel bands are all stamped with the letter U, are offset from the springs except for the front band, and match the barrel patina quite well. The top of each band has been grooved to coincide with the front sight. Both sling swivels are present and secure to the middle barrel band and the trigger bow. The lockplate is stamped 1863 behind the hammer and C.S./RICHMOND,VA. is stamped forward of the hammer. The lockplate has a slightly darker patina from the rest of the iron parts. The mechanics of this "low hump" Richmond work perfectly, locking in half and full cock. The brass butt plate is unmarked and perfectly matches the nose cap, both being brass and have a matching patina. The walnut stock is in very good condition. There are no cartouches on the left flat opposite the lock plate. There is a small section of wood missing just forward of the rigger guard, exposing the threaded end of the ram rod. The barrel channel has nice crisp edges, the ram rod channel has small areas of wood chips missing. There are a couple of stress cracks just to the rear of the rear barrel band, but the stock is stable. The beautiful medium brown stock has been spliced at the rear barrel band. This is a very old splice that has been well executed. The wood matched perfectly, and the band has leeched into both sides of the splice evenly. There are no stamps to show that this was performed at an arsenal, but I suspect that this is a wartime repair that was performed at a Confederate arsenal. This is a great example of a mid war Confederate rifle that could have seen service at some of the bloodiest battles of the war. Additional photographs of the disassembled gun available upon request.
(Sold)
Sorry we are not accepting on line orders at this time. If you are interested in an item please contact me at 615 717 7792 or email me at mwkiser07@gmail.com.
If you have ordered or are considering ordering an antique weapon or artifact from our website please be advised that these artifacts and antique weapons are sold strictly as collectible antiques.
We strongly recommends that these artifacts be enjoyed and appreciated for their historical significance and not ever fired. By ordering you are acknowledging these facts, warnings and assume full responsibility for your personal actions with regard to them.
We DO NOT sell modern firearms , all our inventory is pre 1898 and are classified by the ATF as antiques and require no government paperwork to own.