M1861 Springfield

This handsome 1861 Springfield musket was custom-built by David Stavlo. This museum quality piece is a true recreation of the most commonly-used musket of the Civil War; and features all correct finishes and markings. 

 The stock was carved from straight grained American Walnut. David hand fit each component to the stock to make sure the fit was similar to what's found on original muskets that were made with precision machinery. He then continued to the stock shaping - his specialty. After studying countless original muskets, David shaped the stock to near perfect dimensions. The butt stock gently narrows down to the wrist, which continues in a straight line before terminating in a round plateau that contains the barrel tang. The lock moldings are exactly the same size on either side of the stock and their dimensions are identical to the originals. The forestock "swells" ever so slightly before each barrel band and the the top of the the barrel channel is angled slightly just like the originals. These details are small, but these are things that separate this musket from a cobbled-together skirmish gun. The stock was burnished like the originals before being finished with linseed oil. The original inspector's cartouches of Henry J. Hill (HJH) and Erskin S. Allin (ESA) were stamped on the lock panel; just like the originals.

The lock is original. David restored it to it's original "armory bright" finish. The barrel was made by Dan Whitacre.  David extensively re-profiled the breech flats and bolster of the barrel to be the correct dimensions of originals before mounting a M1861 rear sight. The barrel was then stamped with an "1862" date to match the lock and a correct Springfield "VP and Eagle" was also applied to the breech. These stamps were made from markings taken off an original Springfield barrel and are perfect copies.

The barrel bands, butt plate, band springs, nosecap, and trigger assembly are original pieces that were restored back to "armory bright" finish.

The finished piece is a work of art. We consider it to be as close a copy of an original Springfield as possible. The dimensions of both the metal and wood components are near perfect. And the fit and finish is simple excellent.