When the Civil War ended the US government found itself in possession of a tremendous number of surrendered Confederate weapons. These guns were disposed of in numerous ways, including burning them, disassembling them for scrap, and there's even a rumor of a Virginian road that was lined with Confederate muskets to avoid army wagon wheels from creating ruts. In addition to destroying them, the Federal government also sold a tremendous amount of Confederate muskets to the general public as surplus. To diminish the potential for a Southern insurrection, most surplus Confederate guns were altered at Springfield by removing the rear sight and boring the barrels out to smoothbore. Additionally, several other firms further sporterzied surplus rifle muskets in a variety of ways; including shortening the stock and barrel to make the guns more handy in the field
This particular 1861 dated Richmond was the among the very first arms assembled for the Confederate Army. It is one of only 2300 very early Southern-produced rifle muskets assembled at the Richmond Armory with original M1855 rifle parts taken from the Federal Harper’s Ferry Armory after the armory was captured by Captain Turner Ashby's forces in in April of 1861. These assembed guns are characterized by their lock plate markings which included the date “1861” stamped behind the hammer, and “RICHMOND, VA” forward of the hammer (later Richmond muskets were marked "C.S. RICHMOND, VA"). These guns were the predecessor of the Confederate government’s first production run of military longarms which commenced at the end of August or early September timeframe in 1861.
This is a true Richmond musket; not an M1855 with Richmond parts, as indicated by absence of the Maynard tape primer mortise cut in the lock cavity. This Richmond musket appears to be one of the "altered to smoothbore" modified at the Springfield arsenal after the war. It is in excellent condition; and, apart from the obvious sporterization, it appears to retain all of its original parts, with the exception of the barrel band. The stock is very good and features crisp lock panels and no cartouche; which is appropriate for 1861 dated Richmond muskets. The comb of the stock was modified somewhat and there is a name carved in the left side lock panel.
The lock has a great, unmolested patina and the stamps are still legible. The hammer holds solid on both half and full cock. The original front and rear sights were removed, and the barrel was also shortened and the bore is dark.
The furniture is all original and appropriate for a Richmond, including the brass butt plate.
