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Desirable U.S. Model 1841 "Harpers Ferry" Mississippi Percussion Rifle with 1855 Long Range Modifica

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,300.00 USD Estimated At:3,250.00 - 4,500.00 USD
Desirable U.S. Model 1841  Harpers Ferry  Mississippi Percussion Rifle with 1855 Long Range Modifica
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Estimate: $3250 - 4500
This is a very scarce and desirable Model 1841 Harpers Ferry "Mississippi" Rifle, originally made in 1850, that was later modified by Harpers Ferry with the later 1855 arsenal alterations. These alterations consisted of: (1) shorting the stock forend, (2) installation of a new, shorter, forward barrel band, (3) brazing a lug for a saber bayonet on the right side of the barrel, (4) reboring the barrel from .54 to .58 caliber and (5) installation of a "long range", folding leaf, rear sight. The rear of the lock plate is marked "HARPERS/FERRY/1850" vertically in three lines with the Eagle and Shield motif above "U.S." stamped in front of the hammer. The left side of the barrel is stamped "WW/P" perpendicular to the bore followed by the usual arsenal "V/P/Eagle Head" proof with the tang dated "1850". The rear sight is graduated/marked on the face of the ladder with "6/7/8/9" with the left side of the sight base marked "2/3/4/5". It has an original straight grip walnut stock with brass furniture and a brass patch box on the right side of the butt that holds one percussion nipple. These rifles saw extensive service during the first several years of the Civil War in both the Union and Confederate Armies and are a primary Civil War collection piece.
BBL: 29 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 58 percussion
Finish: Armory Bright
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Fine with much of the armory bright polished metal surfaces remaining with a arsenal blued hammer. The front sight is missing. The markings on the barrel and lock plate are clear and sharp. All of the brass furniture exhibits an attractive mustard yellow patina finish, showing crisp screw heads with some old verdigris around some of the edges of the brass. The stock is also fine overall, with minimal handling marks and light pressure dents, still with the outline of the stock cartouches visible on the left side but no inspectors initials can be seen. A very nice and desirable example of a scarce Harpers Ferry Model 1841 Mississippi Long Range Rifle.