1862 Springfield

[Jappo]

I got this thing on a trade. Only history I have on it is. Person I got it from (John) said it belonged to a reenactor. John was told that from (Bill) the person he got it from. Bill got it from another reenactor who told him it belonged to a retired reenactor. Said the old fella used 45gr ffg and a loose wad. Just to hold the powder in. Made a low boom and smoke. Well Bill decided to clean it up. Looks like he sandblasted it. I seen pictures before he did that. I could clearly see Springfield and the 1862. Now it's barely visible. I took it apart and checked everything in and out. The bore is rifled above the breech about 3/4 of the way. The rest is smooth. I fired 50gr ffg and same measurement of #6 shot. 20 gauge wads are perfect. I also shot 5 .310 balls out of it. Pattern was moderate at about 30 yards. It would bring down a flying bird with the shot.
As for the stock being short like it is. Were these made like that? Or was it modified? Did the trigger guard have a sling swivel? And, I think the pressure of the shotgun is not much since it doesn't have that much resistance. Would a patched round ball be safe? And how much powder would be required. Or should I just hang it on a wall, which was what John was going to do before he saw my ASM 3rd model Dragoon and decided to trade.

 

[Jappo]

It has a modified musket nipple to use #11 caps.

 

[Jappo]

Here's the lock with the 1962 stamp

 

[hawkeye2]

It's a pity it's been sandblasted, destroyed what little value it had. The lock internals are probably the most valuable parts there thought the barrel may have a little value to someone who wants one to reline. The barrel would have been 40" long unaltered. The stock would have gone almost to the muzzle and had a nose cap, a third band and spring. Its been cut just above the middle band. Yes, it would have had a sling swivel on the front of the trigger guard. Without seeing the bore it would be impossible to tell if it were safe to shoot or not. It may have passed through the hands of several reenactors but you can bet none of them took it out on the field, it wouldn't have been allowed in that configuration. I'm sorry to be such a killjoy but there's little I can say that's positive about it.

 

[Jappo]

Thanks for your info hawkeye. Your not a kill joy. I asked and I got. I did some more internet searching and there are similar posts in this forum. Some person is actually selling one. Bannerman also came up. Never heard of him. Did a search and apparently he was a shotgun maker. As to the configuration it’s not rare. Some stated it was probably done after the war and was not uncommon. As for value, I’m not worried about that. It is nice to have an antique that might have seen action during the Civil War. It’s not only a “wallhanger” but I can also shoot it. Not for hunting purposes but to make noise and smoke. Found it’s great for knocking down mistletoe.
Thanks again, appreciate ya

 

[desi23]

Bannerman was primarily a dealer in surplus military gear, got his start buying up gear at the auctions the US military held after the civil war to dispose of excess guns and equipment. As part of their business they often modified old guns to make them more sellable. One common mod was converting old muskets into inexpensive shotguns, sold to farmers and anyone else who just needed a cheap gun for hunting or pest control. Some of their old catalogs have been reprinted, I have one and it is fascinating!

 

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

My first firearm ever was an 1862 Springfield - in 1961. I used it in target shoots, mainly at various Army posts near Washington, DC,
Also used it at the 1961 First Manassas reenactment - firing all those blanks sure did get the barrel hot!
Main load for the 8-man firing team was 100 gr FFg and a standard Minie' "ball".