Fayetteville rifle
Encyclopedia
The Fayetteville Rifle was a 2 banded rifled musket
of rifle length produced at the Confederate States Arsenal in Fayetteville, North Carolina
. The machinery which produced these weapons was primarily that captured at the United States Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia , which was previously used to produce the US Model 1855 Rifle.
The weapon was produced in .58 caliber from early in 1862 until the capture and destruction of the arsenal by Union forces under General W.T. Sherman
on March 11, 1865.
In February, 1862, the Fayetteville Observer, in describing the beginning of arms’ manufacturing at the arsenal, reported:
The first examples were manufactured using assorted M1855 lock blanks and are mounted in iron with high and medium high lockplate humps. Later examples are mounted in brass with a graceful "S" shaped hammer. Only the very early examples are known to have a patchbox.
The rifle was made both with and without a special bayonet lug which allowed the use of a sword bayonet.
The weapons are highly collectible and pristine examples will command prices in excess of $25,000.
Rifled musket
The term rifled musket or rifle musket refers to a specific type of weapon made in the mid-19th century. Originally the term referred only to muskets that had been produced as a smoothbore weapon and later had their barrels rifled...
of rifle length produced at the Confederate States Arsenal in Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville is a city located in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. It is the county seat of Cumberland County, and is best known as the home of Fort Bragg, a U.S. Army post located northwest of the city....
. The machinery which produced these weapons was primarily that captured at the United States Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia , which was previously used to produce the US Model 1855 Rifle.
The weapon was produced in .58 caliber from early in 1862 until the capture and destruction of the arsenal by Union forces under General W.T. Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman was an American soldier, businessman, educator and author. He served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War , for which he received recognition for his outstanding command of military strategy as well as criticism for the harshness of the "scorched...
on March 11, 1865.
In February, 1862, the Fayetteville Observer, in describing the beginning of arms’ manufacturing at the arsenal, reported:
A few days ago we were shown one of a number of rifles furnished at the C. S. Armory here. It is much the same in general appearance, as the U.S. rifle for some years made at Harper’s Ferry and at Springfield, Mass.; but for certain improvements, in the matter of sword bayonet, Maynard primer, and perfection of finish in all parts, it must be pronounced very superior. The back sights are set for 800 and 500 yards.
Altogether, we think it the handsomest specimen of small arms, rifle or musket, we have ever seen-reflecting the greatest credit upon all concerned with its manufacture."
The first examples were manufactured using assorted M1855 lock blanks and are mounted in iron with high and medium high lockplate humps. Later examples are mounted in brass with a graceful "S" shaped hammer. Only the very early examples are known to have a patchbox.
The rifle was made both with and without a special bayonet lug which allowed the use of a sword bayonet.
The weapons are highly collectible and pristine examples will command prices in excess of $25,000.