The Spencer repeating rifle took a magazine in the stock holding seven metallic cartridges. The trigger guard was a lever that loaded cartridges and ejected spent shells. This particular rifle was used by Abraham Lincoln for target practice at the White House. The rifle was borrowed from the Navy Department and was fired in the "White Lot."
Put into production at Harpers Ferry in 1846, the Model 1841 is also known as the Mississippi Rifle due to its success in the Mexican War with the Mississippi regiment under the command of Colonel Jefferson Davis. Approximately 70,000 Model 1841s were produced by Harpers Ferry and contractors between 1846 and 1855. In 1861, these .54 caliber rifles were put back into service on both sides.
Model 1863 Springfield Rifle Musket used by Private Elisha Stockwell, Jr. during the Civil War
Description
On Feb. 25, 1862 at the age of 15, Elisha Stockwell, Jr. enlisted in Company 'I' of the 14th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Stockwell was issued a .69-caliber Belgian rifle musket when he joined. He was wounded twice at the Battle of Shiloh, and he fought at Corinth. By the time he fought at Vicksburg, Stockwell was issued a .577-caliber Enfield rifle.
In early 1864 Stockwell was issued this .58-caliber Model 1863 Springfield rifle musket. Stockwell used this rifle at the battles of Kennesaw Mountain, and Mobile, but not at the Battle of Atlanta. Just before the Battle of Atlanta, a lieutenant sent Stockwell to find the cooks who were late with Company I’s coffee. Stockwell left his rifle and belts beside a tree and before he could find the cooks, the battle started. After the battle he returned to find his rifle and belts just where he left them.
Stockwell was promoted to Corporal in March, 1865 and mustered out of the Army in Oct., 1865. He purchased this rifle and the rest of his kit for six dollars and the rifle was passed down through his family. It was donated to the Smithsonian by his great-grandson Gordon S. Stockwell in 2012.
Produced at the Springfield Armory the .58 caliber Model 1863 Rifle Musket included several improvements on the Model 1861 including the elimination of the clean-out screw in the bolster just under the nipple, and the use of split type barrel bands with elimination of barrel band springs.
The .577 caliber British Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket was the second most widely used firearm of the Civil War. A favorite of Confederate soldiers, it was also imported by the Union to keep up with the demand for rifles.
Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company produced approximately 100,000 .58 caliber rifle muskets for government contract during the Civil War. An unknown number, rejected by U.S. military inspectors, were sold on the civilian market.