1841 Mississippi Rifle

[Tascosa Joe]

I read somewhere, possibly Parkman's book, by the time the great migrations to west were in full swing the Mississippi Rifle had been surplused.  These rifles were sold in large quantities to people traveling to Oregon and California for $1.50.  Does anyone have any additional information?

T-Joe 

[JimBob]

In 1849 the Sec. of War by a Congressional resolution was authorized to sell military arms and ammunition at cost to emigrants to Oregon,California,and New Mexico.A percussion rifle for $13.25,$15 for a percussionmusket,$10 to $17 for a carbine,$7 for a percussion holster pistol.These were not surplussed arms but from government stores.

Information from Firearms of the American West 1803-1865.

There were several contractors for the M1841 Rifle who also sold them commercially to dealers.Prior to the Civil War it saw wide military usage on the frontier as well as civilian.

[Caleb Hobbs]

Just going from memory here, but wasn't the earlier Mississippi rifles .54 round ball, then later changed to .58 minie, possibly for the Civil War?

I've always liked the looks of the Mississippi rifle. I tried to trade for one in .54 just a few weeks ago, but the guy wanted cash and I decided to pass.

[JimBob]

Just going from memory here, but wasn't the earlier Mississippi rifles .54 round ball, then later changed to .58 minie, possibly for the Civil War?

I've always liked the looks of the Mississippi rifle. I tried to trade for one in .54 just a few weeks ago, but the guy wanted cash and I decided to pass.

Somewhere I saw a listing for an original .54 cal. mold for the M1841 Rifle and it was a minie pattern projectile.

According to available information betwwen 1855-60 aprox.8,879 rifles were rebored to .58 cal.

[Tascosa Joe]

I am trying to remember if I have ever seen an original Mississippi Rifle.  Dixie has a repro in their cataloge.  It appears to be brass mounted including the barrel bands. 

[Caleb Hobbs]

I should have clarified that the one I saw was a repro. Don't remember who made it or imported it, though. Sorry about the misunderstanding.

[JimBob]

They are brass mounted.Many collectors consider them to be the best looking U.S.issue firearm.

A little additional information.Many states purchased these from the government via the 1808(?)Militia Act and then surplused them out later on.

[Tascosa Joe]

The Mississippi Rifle sounds like a good choice for the period.

[Major 2]

Several Makers over the years
Antonio Zolli
Pedercoli
Armsport
and Euroarms

Zolli has not been around for some time ...

I would guess the DGW guns are either Euroarms or Armsport

Not sure what make this one is , doubt Pedercoli
Proablly Euroarms or Armsport


http://www.hugginsandscott.com/cgi-bin/showitem.pl?itemid=37764

[boilerplatejackson]

Mentioned in several publications on the life and times of William F Cody we find the 1841 US Rifle in service of Teamsers
working for the US Quartermasters office. Young Buffalo Billy, as he was called by Wagonmaster Lew Simpson, tells
of his service as a cavallard driver on two trips to Utah in 1857.  Cody states that all men were armed with Yagers and
Colt Revolvers. Cody dispatched a Sioux indian with his Yager on the first trip out. The second time, Cody, Simpson,
and George Wood were riding between trains and got suprised by a Sioux Party in greater numbers. Nowhere to run,
Simpson shot their mounts to use for breastwork and fight off the Sioux attacks until the rear train came up.

[buffalo bill]

Gentlemen, On page 58 of Cody's 1879 autobiography, "The Life of Buffalo Bill" Cody does in fact state that "Our men were all well armed with Colt's revolvers and Mississippi yagers, which last, carried a bullet, and two buckshots." However, Cody was not known as "Buffalo Bill" until 1868 when he killed 4280 buffalo in 18 months to feed railroad workers laying track  for the Union Pacific Eastern Division in Kansas.

'SCOUTIN' for SHAGGIES'

BUFFALO BILL

[Oregon Bill]

These ARE handsome rifles. They went by a number of nicknames, including Yager, Yaeger, Yauger, yellow gun, etc. because of all the brass mountings. If I recall correctly, the troops posted here in Southern Oregon during the Rogue Indian Wars of the early 1850s were mostly armed with the Model 1841.

[Grapeshot]

Just going from memory here, but wasn't the earlier Mississippi rifles .54 round ball, then later changed to .58 minie, possibly for the Civil War?

I've always liked the looks of the Mississippi rifle. I tried to trade for one in .54 just a few weeks ago, but the guy wanted cash and I decided to pass.

Yes, the 1841 "Mississippi Rifle" was originally a .54 caliber round ball weapon.  After the Civil War Started many '41's were converted to .58 caliber to make them compatable with the .577 British Ammo and the .575 Minnie used by the north.  Not long after those conversions started, a .54 Minnie was developed for those units that still had the original caliber barrels on their rifles.

[boilerplatejackson]

I received an online sale ad from Cabelas this past week. They list the new replica 1841 Mississippi Rifles now being made by
Pedersoli. Euroarms of Italy went out of business I heard and Pedersoli bought out their factory or production line. I havent
seen any as of yet and I am not sure if they are on any store shelves. The NSSA bulletin board said they were coming out.

[StrawHat]

I ended up with an 1841 by accident and don't regret it.  I was looking for any musket with a shot out or damaged barrel.  I found a stock and lock in the local gun shop and dickered on it, thinking it was a Zouave.  After the deal was struck, he trots out the barrel and bands and I realize it is an 1841.  The brass bands and such make it a distinctive piece and it really stands out.

Glad I got it.

[Tascosa Joe]

I went to Cabela's web page and they have the Mississippi Rifle on sale for $699 rather than $899 probably a good buy.  The only issue is it is .58 cal rather than .54.  It has a 1-66 twist which should make it shoot round balls well.

[Oregon Bill]

I'm thankful to have found one in good shape for a good price and in the original .54, as the new ones seem to have dried up.

[JimBob]

For those of you choosing this rifle there was a Riflemans pouch and flask issued for use with it.The original rifles show up frequently,not so the pouches-

http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/very-rare-1841-riflemans-pouch-and-peace-flask-w-1-c-0422f5045f

S&S Firearms did have repos of the pouches.

[Oregon Bill]

JimBob: Yup, S&S shows them in their catalog for $80. I'm tracking down a supply of correct white buff leather and will make my own.