Info about Navy Arms 1864 Springfield

[Darkfold]

Gentlemen, I have a repro 1864 Springfield .58 caliber rifle musket made for Navy Arms. Certain things about it make me think it may be quite old for a repro. Let me describe it as well as I can and see if more knowledgeable heads can tell me more about it.

The stock is a light-colored, close-grained wood very similar in grain to walnut, stained medium brown. I expect it'll be rather attractive once it's cleaned, restained and linseed oiled. It's two piece stock.

At the fore end tip is a steel casting held on by a Phillips screw. Under that is an unswelled ram rod which started out as a two-piece and has been welded. The rod has lots of tool marks and all the signs of long use, and is still serviceable.

The muzzle is squarer than I am used to seeing, with minimal chamfering of the inner and outer edges. The barrel is in pretty good shape, the only rust is surface stuff in the bore, otherwise there's just darkening of the steel here and there. The barrel finish is not as smooth as I'm used to on repro muskets. We'll see how well I can get it to shine.

The top barrel band is solid. All three bands have the rounded profile and retaining springs. The second and third bands have screws for tightening. The second band has the front strap (sling) loop. Like the barrel, the bands and sling loops aren't finished as smoothly as I'm used to seeing. The two leaf rear sight also looks rather unfinished. All these parts have the look of lightly-polished sand casting.

The only markings on the barrel are "NAVY ARMS CO. RIDGEFIELD N.J. USA" on the breech, ending at the tang. The serial number, 12XX, is stamped on the left breech flat just above the stock. That's it, no "BLACK POWDER ONLY", ".58 CALIBER" or "MADE IN ITALY" and no sign they were removed.

The butt plate is heavy cast steel, in good condition. It overhangs the toe of the butt about 1/16th of an inch.

The lock plate and hammer are bright; IIRC, the originals were color-casehardened. They also have the same lightly-polished cast look of the rest of the steel. The lock plate has "1864" stamped behind the hammer, the spread eagle in front of the hammer and on the breech bolster, and is stamped "U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / NAVY ARMS CO. RIDGEFIELD N.J. USA".

Any information about this muskets' age, manufacturer, or anything else about it will be greatly appreciated. TIA!

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I have a similar rifle musket. It's actually a copy of an 1863 Springfield and is a lot closer to the originals than the overly thick stocked ones they make today. I honestly don't recall when I bought it, but it was more than 40 years ago, I think. I have no idea who made it or where it was made, but it is a very accurate and reliable gun. Mine has a forged main spring and a one piece dark stained stock, but the same markings as yours. The stock appears to be walnut, but the stain is dark enough that it's hard to tell. I use 70 grains of FFg GOEX and a .577 Minie of about 560 grains in mine. I fill the grooves in the Minie with a beeswax and tallow lube. Dan

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

Frenchie, Navy Arms came out with the M1863 Springfield reproduction ca. 1973 and you have one of the first ones. The locks on the repops were never casehardened, and it was quite common to see the overhang on the BP and that little Phillips head screw. The light walnut is European wood and quite normal.

A word on barrel inletting for the early M1863 reproduction - the breach area of the stock was very often not well done and they had a tendency to "pop out" the shoulder between the lock and the tang, check that area and if a problem is found, either Accraglass the the side that does not contact the breach or add wood there.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Who made them? There are no proof marks anywhere on the gun. The fit and finish are first rate on my gun. No phillips head screws anywhere on it .

 

[Trot]

I had one made by Pedersoli, but I think it was a much later Navy Arms. Mine had the casehardened lock and was really nicely finished.

 

[Steve Blancard]

I've got one too, but mine has the 2 piece stock, joined under the lower band. It also has a color case hardened lock. Mine was made by Miroku in Japan, its says JAPAN in the left side of the breech. I've pinned and expoxied the 2 peice stock for added strength. It is much lighter than any of the Italian repros as the breech has not been beefed up like the Italian models.

Miroku also made a model 1861. Both are well regarded.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I've pulled mine completely apart and there are no proof marks or country of origin stamped on it. And I know it hasn't been defarbed because I've had it from new. Placed beside an original, it looks the same, without the bulky stock profile that is used today. The steel has developed a soft, silvery appearance that is very pleasing.

 

[59sharps]

Contact Navy arms they should be able to tell you when and who made it for them http://www.navyarms.com/