This is an outstanding, nearly as issued, example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1861 rifle-musket. The Model 1861 rifle-musket was the primary shoulder arm used by the Union infantry during the Civil War, with various firms outside of Springfield Armory manufacturing them under contract for the war effort using parts interchangeability on a large scale. The majority of these rifle-muskets saw heavy use in all of the major battles of the Civil War, with this example appearing to have likely remained in Armory storage the length of the war and serving as a true time capsule. Marked "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" at the center of the lock, as manufactured by the Springfield Armory, ahead of an eagle and shield and the date "1862" at the tail of the lock to match the "1862" dated barrel. Front bayonet stud sight and rear sight with 100, 300 and 500 yard flip-up leafs. The left stock flat proudly displays two crisp boxed script inspection cartouches including "ESA" of Springfield Armory's Master Armorer, Erskine S. Allin. "US" marked buttplate tang. Includes a "US" marked socket bayonet. Provenance: The Richard Harris Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection