Rifle
Description
U.S. Harper's Ferry Model 1855 rifled musket, Serial No. 187, made in 1860. There are two maker cartouches: "AMB" and "JAS". Model 1855s were made exclusively at Harper's Ferry between 1857 and 1861. Of the only 7,317 ever made, this is one of 3,772 examples made with iron mountings, rather than brass. The model was discontinued at the start of the Civil War due to innovations away from the Maynard Priming System. During the war, these rifles were carried by both Union and Confederate soldiers. This rifle was owned by Richard Dennis Steuart (1878-1951), a collector of confederate relics, author of two works "Small Arms of the Confederacy" and "Confederate Swords," and descended from a major Maryland Confederate family.
Creator
Date
1860