Springfield Model 1863
Springfield Armory (US Government) · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1863
Also known as: U.S. Rifle-Musket Model 1863, Model 1864, 1863 Springfield
Overview
The Springfield Model 1863 was a .58 caliber percussion rifled musket produced at the Springfield Armory, a refinement of the Model 1861 and the last regulation muzzle-loading longarm of the United States Army. Produced in Type I (1863) and Type II (1864) patterns, it was the most-produced Union rifled musket of the latter half of the American Civil War. Many were later converted to the .45-70 breech-loading 'Trapdoor' Springfield by Master Armorer Erskine S. Allin.
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 | 300 m/s (984 fps) |
| Effective Range | 274 m (300 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 914 m (1000 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
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Features: Rifled Barrel, Muzzle Loaded, Percussion Cap, Leaf Rear Sight, Socket Bayonet Lug, Ramrod
Variants
- Model 1863 Type I — Early Pattern
- Model 1863 Type II (Model 1864) — Late Pattern
Service history
Operators
- Union Army / United States · adopted 1863 · as U.S. Rifle-Musket, Model 1863
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
- American Indian Wars (1865-1891)
Production
Estimated total produced: 700,000 · Production years: 1863-1865
Over 250,000 completed at Springfield Armory itself, plus contractors; the most-produced Union rifled musket of the war's final years.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Discontinued: 1865
Notes
Type II is sometimes catalogued as the Model 1864. Rifling twist is approximately one turn in 72 inches (1:72). Maximum range reflects the long-range sight graduation; effective range was far shorter.
Background
The Model 1863 was the U.S. Army's last regulation muzzle-loader; rather than scrap the survivors after the war, the Army had thousands converted into the .45-70 breech-loading 'Trapdoor' Springfield by Erskine Allin, extending their service into the Indian Wars.