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MODEL 1841 “MISSISSIPPI” RIFLE SHOWING STRONG
EVIDENCE OF INDIAN OWNERSHIP AND USE:
A little preface to put this one in context. For
several years I have noticed a substantial number of
Mississippi Rifles that exist in private and public
collections that show distinct, classic evidence of
Indian use. The Rock Island Arsenal collection of
documented surrendered and captured Indian guns includes
a significant number of Mississippi Rifles. Some of
these are in barely serviceable condition, but obviously
were still in active use at the time of their seizure
testifying to the sturdy character of these historic
arms. The Model 1841, or Mississippi Rifle, was a
sturdy, dependable, serviceable firearm, originally
intended for use on horseback and made in a handy,
manageable length, and it presented well with the
attractive brass mounts. For all these reasons, and of
course due to the Model 1841's passage into the surplus
market after the Civil War, it is apparent that these
rifles were a popular and common item of trade to the
Indians.
The appearance
of this Mississippi speaks volumes of its time on the
frontier. The stock shows all of the desirable,
excellent wear where one would expect to find it on the
high edges of the barrel and ramrod channels and at the
points where the rifle would have been handled or rested
as it was carried on horseback. The wood has wonderful
aged feel and very nice coloring, the iron all has the
same brown surface – not encrusted with rust, but with a
nice even color, and the brass furniture has a
consistent mellow patina. The comb of the butt stock,
the top of the wrist, and both sides of the forearm are
decorated with brass headed tacks of several different
sizes, all with square shanks. I have not pulled any of
the tacks, but I have applied a magnet to all of the
tacks and found no indication of steel shanks, and there
are several tack heads missing from the forearm, leaving
the square, brass shanks visible in the wood. There is
wear to the wood around the edges of the tack heads and
the heads have the appearance of being imbedded in the
wood, evidence that the wood has swollen around the edge
of the tack heads and one of the characteristics that
knowledgeable collectors look for to determine if the
tacks have been recently applied. Where the few tacks
are missing from the forearm, the wood that was beneath
the tack heads shows appropriate coloring and the
imprint of the tack head. This is not a recently tacked
gun where someone attempted to “sweeten” an old, worn
out rifle, rather these tacks were certainly applied
during the period of the rifle’s use and show the same
wear and character of the rifle.
The full
length barrel retains the proof mark, inspector's
initials and a legible "US" at the breech as it was
originally stamped and is dated 1854. The lock has a
trace of the spread winged eagle in front of the hammer
and behind the hammer remains the legible vertical
stamping "SPRINGFIELD” and the date "1848" - a desirable
Mexican War era dating. The surface of the wood of the
butt stock shows excellent wear, with the lower edge of
the patch box and the edge of the butt plate standing in
relief above the surrounding wood. The patch box lid
spring is intact and the lid opens and closes properly.
The wrist shows similar surface wear, leaving the
trigger guard tang in relief as well. The lower sling
swivel on the trigger guard bow has been removed in a
manner typical of Indian used guns. Just forward of the
front lock screw and the forward trigger guard tang, the
fore stock had begun to splinter and a period repair of
an iron band was wrapped around the stock to reinforce
this area. The lock and trigger assembly are functional
and operate properly. The bore is one of those
re-rifled during the Civil War to .58 caliber to
standardize the ammo requirement during the war. The
muzzle area is worn through use to approximately .62
caliber, but an inspection with a light reveals that the
rifling is intact for the balance of the bore. The rear
sight has been replaced during the period of use with a
frontier gunsmith made simple buckhorn sight, while the
front sight is the original brass blade.
This Mississippi Rifle shows all the classic
characteristics of hard use and decoration in the hands
of an Indian, having a great appearance that literally
talks to you as you hold it, and is no doubt a veteran
of fierce determined and desperate battles, and untold
numbers of buffalo kills in the hands of a warrior.
I am
confident enough that this gun was indeed used by
Indians, that I have enjoyed this gun in my collection
of Indian used guns for several years and am only now
offering it for sale as it is a duplicate to others in
my collection. Guns that have not been sullied or
ruined by the addition of upholstery tacks, modern
leather wrappings and other enhancements, have never
been common, and as more collectors are recognizing
their historic value Indian guns of this quality are now
becoming increasingly difficult to find on the market.
This is an opportunity to obtain an honest Indian gun
that has not been tampered with since the day it passed
from the Indians into that first collection.
If you
hesitate and miss this one, for many years to come you
will regret it as the one that got away.
SOLD
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