Dimensions / Weight

Dimensions: 8" H x 56" W x 2" D

Physical Description

U. S. Model 1861 rifle-musket, .58 caliber.

General History

Model 1861 was the standard rifle-musket used throughout the war. The Model 1861 was a modification of the Model 1855 rifle-musket. The basic change to rifle was the elimination of the patch box and the Maynard tape primer. By making these changes, both manufacturing costs and production times were lowered. About one million Model 1861–type muskets were manufactured during the war for the Union infantry.