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 1863 dated 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, retains all of its original parts, with the exception of the barrel band, which was salvaged from a M1863 Springfield. The stock is very good and features crisp lock panels and no cartouche; which is appropriate for Richmond muskets built in 1863.
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; the rear sight dovetail having been neatly filled in, and the front sight replaced with a shotgun-style bead. The barrel was also shortened to roughly 33" and the bore is dark.
The furniture is all original and appropriate for a Richmond, including the ramrod.
