Rifle musket with bayonet and scabbard

1862

Place madeEngland, Europe

Wood, steel, iron, brass, leather

Part (musket length): 55 5/8 in. (141.3 cm)
Part (bayonet length): 8 1/16 in. (20.5 cm)
Part (barrel): 39 1/4 in. (99.7 cm)

Gift of Carrie Althause

1950.81a-c

Beginning in 1860, many British Enfield firearms were imported into America under contract to both the Union and Confederate governments. By the end of the Civil War, Enfield rifles, muskets, and rifle muskets had become primary Confederate infantry arms, as well as valuable additions to the Union's arsenal. This rifle musket was used during the war by the donor's father, Private William H. Althause of the 128th New York Volunteers.

DescriptionWood, steel, iron, and brass percussion rifle musket; brass furniture; steel ramrod with knurled and slotted head; single-leaf rear sight; stamped marks at center and tail of lockplate; stamped proofs at breech end of barrel; angular iron bayonet with beak point, full face flute, and deep back flutes; black leather bayonet scabbard with belt loop, triangular body, and cone-shaped brass tip and finial.

Markingsstamped: barrel: "25" (twice); also crown over crossed scepters, a post 1813 Birmingham, England proof. stamped: lockplate center: "1862/TOWER"; also crown at tail.

ClassificationsMILITARY TOOLS & EQUIPMENT: FIREARM