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Model 1863 Rifle Musket  285. Because of the urgency to increase, not delay, the production of rifle muskets, several of the features suggested by Chief of Ordnance Colonel Ripley, Spring- field Armory Superintendent Dwight, Springfield Armory Master Armorer Allin, and Colt’s Elisha K. Root in June 1861 were not incorporated into the Model 1861 rifled musket when it went into production. Primary among these features was the barrel’s shortened nipple bolster without cleanout screw. The nipple’s location was closer to the bore and a straight vent extended from the nipple’s base to the bore thereby assuring faster, morepositive ignition of the main charge. The bolster’s flat outer surface was flush with the lockplate’s surface. This feature, along with others, such as the use of convex-surfaced barrel bands that were secured by the clamping action of lateral screws instead of band springs, had been successfully incorporated into the design and production of Special Model 1861 Contract rifled muskets made by Colt; Amoskeag; and Lamson, Goodnow & Yale. Springfield Armory’s production of rifle muskets with these improvements was approved by the chief of ordnance on February 9, 1863. The armory began producing this new model in April 1863. In that month, 2,748 Model 1861 rifle muskets and 5,064 Model 1863 rifle muskets were fabricated at Springfield Armory. In addition to the previously mentioned changes to the nipple bolster and barrel bands, the hammer was modified to engage the more centrally located nipple, the retaining swell in the ramrod’s shaft was deleted, and a ramrod retaining spring was reintroduced. The stock’s wrist was enlarged and its ramrod and barrel channels were altered to conform to the new rod and retaining spring; and the barrel band retainers and their respective stock recesses were deleted. The style of checkering used on the hammer’s thumbpiece was also changed. A February 4, 1863, letter from Chief of Ordnance General James W. Ripley to C. B. Hoard stated, “Although it is not a matter of essential importance which plan of checkering is adopted, I agree with you that the shield pattern is neater and especially useful, and all other things being equal, I give it the preference.” The finish of the lock and barrel bands differed from previous rifle muskets. The lock and hammer were color case hardened and the barrel bands were blued. An October 31, 1863, letter from ordnance inspector Captain George T. Balch to E. A. Straw of Amoskeag Manufacturing Company stated that future Special Model 1861 Contract rifle muskets to be delivered by that company were to be finished in this manner; however, surviving examples do not have this finish. On March 9, 1863, Springfield Superintendent Major Dyer wrote to Chief of Ordnance General Ripley, enclosing a proposed new combination tool for the maintenance of rifle muskets and a proposed change in the “end of a ramrod upon Armory-Pattern Muzzleloading Arms 323 which are cut a ball screw, and the thread for a wiper, the whole protected by a brass cap.” Although Major Dyer recommended the adoption of the ramrod and combination tool, only the change in the ramrod was implemented. On August 14, Major Dyer wrote to General Ripley: “I have encountered more difficulties in making the ramrod with ball screws and caps than was anticipated. . . . I have the honor to recommend that no more of them be made for the present and until some of those now on hand (about forty thousand) shall have been thoroughly tested in the field.” Less than nine months after the introduction of the Model 1863 musket into production at Springfield Armory, it was superseded by an improved model of rifle musket. Because this arm was the second “model” of rifle musket adopted during1863,somearmsstudentshavereferredtoitasthe“Model1863(TypeII)” rifle musket or the “Second Model of 1863” rifle musket. It is identified as the “Model 1864” rifle musket in this text. The most visible change is the method of retention of the barrel bands. Production of this model began in mid-1864. SomeofthecomponentsoftheriflemusketsproducedatSpringfieldwereprocured from private manufacturers on contract. On October 9, 1863, Springfield Armory Commander General A. B. Dyer wrote to the G. F. Warner & Company of New Haven, Connecticut, offering a contract to make 50,000 iron stock foretips for the armory. A model stock tip was sent to Warner. General...

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