WANTED $1200 approximate budget - Looking for an authentic 1861 Springfield or period correct replica

[spencerk062]

***UPDATE: 13:23 CST 12/27/2024***
- Feel free to continue making offers here and via PM, I'm learning quite a bit and appreciate the advice, offers and input from the community. I have a reasonably good offer from a member at the moment, pending some further information from them but in the event that offer doesn't work out I am still very open to offers and advice, both regarding acquiring a "new" authentic 1861 and for vendors who may be able to work on the damaged rifle I already have. Thanks to everyone who's reached out so far - this is my first in depth interaction with this community and it's been great so far!

ORIGINAL POST:
I've decided to commit to buying an 1861 Springfield. I have a budget of around 1200, might go higher depending on what you have on offer.

I'm looking either for a functional original with a reasonable bore or a replica manufactured to the same specifications as an original. I have a non-functional original Norwich Contract model that is unlikely to be repaired in a way that will allow it to fire safely, but I would very much like to get a feel for how these weapons performed during the war. I've read into most of the replicas on the market and determined that they are not worth the investment for live fire if the goal is to understand the performance of an authentic 1861, this due to the incorrect shallow and constant depth rifling that is present in most replicas. I would be open to a replica if the barrel has been manufactured with the correct progressive depth rifling.

Please do let me know if you have anything available. I will pay via your preferred method, will need to have the item shipped to Cedar Rapids, Iowa - 52403 postal code. Thanks in advance!

 

[BigSkyRambler]

P.M. sent.

 

[Warfaremilitary]

You didn’t indicate the condition of the stock or lock. If both are in reasonably good condition, you could replace the barrel and have a functional rifle-musket. I would contact Whitacre Machine in Winchester, VA for a replacement barrel. I’ve shot a Whitacre barrel for years and never had any problem. The barrels they sell fit in original stocks without any modifications.

 

[spencerk062]

You didn’t indicate the condition of the stock or lock. If both are in reasonably good condition, you could replace the barrel and have a functional rifle-musket. I would contact Whitacre Machine in Winchester, VA for a replacement barrel. I’ve shot a Whitacre barrel for years and never had any problem. The barrels they sell fit in original stocks without any modifications.

I'd given consideration to that - the lock is in reasonably good condition and functional, the stock however, not so much. There are two significant cracks in it that were present when I got it, and I have concerns about the stock breaking if subjected to recoil with any regularity. It could probably handle a few shots, but it would definitely worry me to shoot it long term. I looked into repairing the stock, but the way these cracks have propagated makes a repair fairly difficult to pull off. I've accepted that this one is just going to be a wall hanger.

 

[Warfaremilitary]

There are two options for the stock. Lodgewood Mfg in Janesville, WI might be able to repair the stock. Dave Stavlo does excellent work and has taken stocks that look beyond repair and worked magic on them to get them functional again. That would be the route I would go. If Dave cannot repair the stock he might have a replacement stock as a substitute.

If you don’t mind doing some work, try Dunlap Woodcrafts in Chantilly, VA. Their stocks are 90 to 95% finished which ch is a big plus. You’d still have to get a barrel but either of options for stocks might work.

Several years ago, I built up a Norwich Contract rifle-musket using an original lock and Whitacre barrel. The firearm is very accurate and a pleasure tovshoot. The resson I chose a Norwich Contract lock is because my GG Grandfather’s 22nd Michigan Infantry Regiment was armed with Norwich Contract Rifle-Muskets.

 

[Conquerordie]

Take a look at Mid Tennessee Relics. He's got a Savage M1861 for about $200 bucks more. Nice patina, says all original. Might be what you are looking for.

 

[spencerk062]

Take a look at Mid Tennessee Relics. He's got a Savage M1861 for about $200 bucks more. Nice patina, says all original. Might be what you are looking for.

Is he on this forum or is this an external website? Sorry, very new to all this, still getting my bearings on who's who

 

[Conquerordie]

External site. He has decent prices for originals. Been a dealer for a long time.

 

[spencerk062]

External site. He has decent prices for originals. Been a dealer for a long time.

I'll go have a look - thanks for the tip!