The Maynard tape priming system having drawn adverse reports from troops in the field, in 1861, the Secretary of War approved the recommendations of an Ordnance Board to abandon the system and return to the use of a lock ignited by the ordinary reliable percussion cap.  This arm was equipped with a folding two leaf rear sight.  This arm is the typical weapon of the Civil War, hundreds of thousands of which were made at the government armories and by private contractors.  265,129 Model 1861 rifle muskets were produced at the Springfield Armory between Jan. 1, 1861 and Dec. 31, 1863.  The Models 1855, 1861, and 1863, all used the 500 grain .58 caliber Minie bullet with 60 grains of powder.  The muzzle velocity was 950 fps.  Penetration in seasoned white pine boards 1 inch thick spaced 11/2 inches apart was as follows:

At 200 yds. – 9.33 inches

At 600 yds. – 5.66 inches

At 1000 yds. – 3.00 inches

The rifle was expected to put 10 consecutive shots in a:

4 inch bullseye at 100 yds.

9 inch bullseye at 200 yds.

11 inch bullseye at 333 yds.

181/2 inch bullseye at 400 yds.

27 inch bullseye at 500 yds.

      Our specimen is marked on the lock plate behind the lock “1862”.  In front of the lock “US” “SPRINGFIELD” in two lines and an eagle.  The bands are marked “U”.  The top of the butt plate is marked “US”.  The left side of the barrel is marked “V” “P” and eagle head.  The left side of the barrel is also marked “W.J.L.D”.  The rear of the trigger guard is marked “H”.  The left side of the barrel has two inspector’s cartouches “GEL”.  The bayonet is marked “US”.