Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

1863 Springfield Musket

jtaddeo
I have an 1863 Springfield Musket that was my Grandfather's Grandfather's gun. I know it is an original because it has been passed through the family. For some reason, however, it only has 2 barrel bands rather than the 3 that I see on all the pictures of the same 1863 Springfields on the internet and in books. Can someone help me understand why and what the difference is? Thanks very much
0

Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • staind460
    jtaddeo, i may be able to help ya.

    i was a NSSA (north south skirmish)reenactr for a few years and have some experience with this type of weapon.

    if it only has two bands it is a "two band springfield" they were made midway through the american civil war for a number of reasons.

    they are lighter, shorter and and therefore easier to load and aim than the full size 1861-64 springfields

    i can put yu in touch with a good friend of mine who is quite knowledgable on this topic if you would like
    0
  • jtaddeo
    Thank you very much Staind, I really appretiate it. Any additional information you or your friend could supply would also be greatly appretiated.
    0
  • rufe-snow
    Don't mean to rain on your parade, "BUT" there is a lot of controversy surrounding these Civil War era muzzle loaders, that have had their barrels shortened and only secured by ( 2 ) bands.

    Some extremely knowledgeable folks question their authenticity. I would like to refer you to "Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms" ( bible for collectors, of American firearms ). He discusses these so called "Artillery " Models in great detail.

    luger_4.jpg
    0
  • jtaddeo
    Mr. Rufe-snow, what is your and the extremely knowledgeable folks definition of authenticity? Like was it sold in a toy store? I have confirmation that it is as old as 1863, but no knowledge of why it is different than others I have seen for sale. Thanks for the referral to "Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms"; I'm on my way to the store to buy it now.
    0
  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by jtaddeo
    Mr. Rufe-snow, what is your and the extremely knowledgeable folks definition of authenticity? Like was it sold in a toy store? I have confirmation that it is as old as 1863, but no knowledge of why it is different than others I have seen for sale. Thanks for the referral to "Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms"; I'm on my way to the store to buy it now.


    "Like was it sold in a toy store"

    NO LIKE IT WAS SOLD BY FRANCIS BANNERMAN


    "Flayderman's Guide", 8th Edition. Page 464, see "Artillery Model" 3/4 of the way down the page. Page 466, see "The Artillery Model", 1/2 way down the page.

    luger_4.jpg
    0
  • Hangfire
    jtaddeo- Bannerman purchased and altered so many firearms he could be considered a firearms "Toy Store"....Listen to Rufe!!!!

    Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
    0
  • staind460
    jtaddeo

    my email is staind460@yahoo.com email me if you want my friends email addy. he is verry knowledgable on this topic
    0
  • Xracer
    It could be that both jtaddeo and rufe-snow are right.

    It could've well belonged to jtaddeo's Grandfather's Grandfather....but not necessarily as an Civil War issue firearm.

    It might have been bought as a "sporterized" surplus hunting arm shortly after the Civil War, or might've been a GAR "parade gun"....both possibilities listed in Flayderman's.

    Look at it this way.....a 98K Mauser may have been made in 1943 and bought as a "sporterized" hunting gun in 1948. Or think of the many thousands of cut-down .30-40 Krags sold in the 1910s and '20s.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity