Providence Tool Model 1861 Contract Rifle-Musket
Providence Tool Company · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1862
Also known as: Providence Tool Co. Model 1861 Rifle-Musket, U.S. Model 1861 Contract Rifle-Musket (Providence Tool), .58 Providence Tool Contract Musket
Overview
The Providence Tool Model 1861 Contract Rifle-Musket is a .58 caliber percussion-cap, muzzle-loading rifled musket built by the Providence Tool Company of Rhode Island as one of the roughly twenty private contractors that supplemented Springfield Armory production during the American Civil War. Mechanically identical to the standard U.S. Model 1861, it fired the hollow-based Minié ball through a 40-inch three-groove rifled barrel, giving Union infantry far greater accuracy and range than the smoothbore muskets it replaced. Providence Tool delivered on the order of 70,000 of these arms to the U.S. government between 1862 and 1865.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4082 g (144.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1422 mm (55.98") |
| Barrel Length | 1016 mm (40.00") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Muzzle Velocity | 290 m/s (951 fps) |
| Effective Range | 274 m (300 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 457 m (500 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 3 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 1829 mm (72.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 3 |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | White Metal |
Calibers
- .58 Caliber Minié Ball · primary — also known as 0.58 in, 14.7 mm, .58 Springfield, .58 Minié
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Features: Rifled Barrel, Muzzle Loaded, Percussion Cap, Folding Leaf Sights, Socket Bayonet Lug, Ramrod
Service history
Operators
- Union Army / United States · adopted 1862 · as U.S. Rifle-Musket, Model 1861
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 70,000 · Production years: 1862-1865
Providence Tool Company was among the largest of the roughly twenty Model 1861 contractors, supplying about 70,000 rifle-muskets to the U.S. government.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Discontinued: 1865
Notes
Interchangeable with Springfield Armory parts under the U.S. contract system. Rifling twist is approximately one turn in 72 inches (1:72). Lock plates and barrels are dated by year of manufacture, 1862-1865.
Background
Rhode Island's Providence Tool Company turned its machine-shop capacity to war production, becoming one of the most prolific Civil War musket contractors before later gaining fame for the Peabody breechloading rifle.