[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Will one of you please explain to me what a 'Mississippi Rifle' is? ie-caliber, barrel length, percussion or flintlock etc...I looked on the computer but the only reference I can find on it is the post Mr. Mec posted titled 're-Walkers'. Thank ya'll...Okay...
P.S. Sorry about not capitalizing the word 'Mississippi'. I tried to correct it but don't know how...Pretty rifle...Okay...

[arcticap]

The M1841 Mississippi Rifle is a percussion rifle, a rifle that uses a percussion cap, the first way for a rifle to fire in any weather. It is a .54 caliber rifle. This rifle was used in the Mexican–American War & the American Civil War. It is equipped with a sword bayonet and was used by Jefferson Davis's red-shirted company of Mississippians in Mexico. During the Civil War many of these rifles were used by the Confederacy to equip NCOs and sharpshooters. The rifle was popular for its accuracy and ease of use. Also, Its browned barrel finish contrasting with the light colored brass furniture gave it a favorable appearance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1841_Mississippi_Rifle

related:

They were known as the "Mississippi Rifles" under the command of Colonel Jefferson Davis in the war with Mexico. They acquired this nickname because the regiment was the first in American history to have an official issue rifled musket (Model 1841 Whitney) instead of a smoothbore musket.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi_Rifles



http://www.dixiegunworks.com/images/17341.jpg

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=13964&osCsid=a96a33e71eb9a1cdd0b7fd9a82c33828


http://www.nps.gov/archive/foda/Fort_Davis_WEB_PAGE/Assets/SPRINGVIELD%201841.jpg
The Model 1841 Springfield Rifle was commonly referred to as the "Mississippi" after its use by Jefferson Davis's Mississippi volunteers during the Mexican-American War. This rifled weapon was a muzzleloader taking a .54 caliber round ball. Later versions were re-rifled to accept the .58 caliber minie ball. It is possible that some of the 8th Infantry companies stationed at Fort Davis prior to the Civil War were armed with the Mississippi.
nps.gov/archive/foda/Fort_Davis_WEB_PAGE/About_the_Fort/RIFLE_1841.htm



Many more pictures here:

...Overall, this 1841 appears to be completely unissued and shows no evidence of having ever being fired. This is not a Civil War rebuild but a true 100% original 1847 dated Tryon with zero upgrades or or later alterations. Its never been re-bored to .58 Caliber but still in its original .54 Caliber with 7 groove rifling...

http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/images/scarce-1841-mississippi-rifle/scarce-1841-mississippi-rifle%20(10).jpg


www.antiquearmsinc.com/scarce-1841-mississippi-rifle.htm

[Shawnee]

Hi G.O.C....

I seem to recall it was brought out circa early 1840s, was quite long - like maybe a 40-inch barrel, and of nominal .54 caliber. Wouldn't bet more than a few dollars on that though.

MEC probably knows. Hey MEC !!!

Ooops - looks like I was about 10 seconds too late.


:cool:

[4v50 Gary]

Not to criticize articap but I would dispute Wikipedia's assertion on its use by Confederate sharpshooters. I've seen no evidence of it myself. About the only time a "sharpshooter" would take an 1841 whether it was the original round ball or the rebarrelled burton (minie) ball gun is if the rest of the regiment was armed with smoothbores. Rifles beats smoothbores even when its a roundball rifle. Two band Enfields were the guns of choice for the Confederate sharpshooter in the Army of Northern Virginia.

[DrLaw]

Big tell-tale sign that it is a Mississippi rifle is being two banded, with one band being a combination barrel and ramrod band in the front, larger than the first band. Looks remarkably like the Zouave save for the different fore-ends.

The Doc is out now. :cool:

[4v50 Gary]

BTW, that same brass patchbox was used on the 1855 Rifle. However, it is distinguished from the 1841 Rifle in that the 1855 had the Maynard Tape Primer mechanism on the lock. I don't know whether the two band 1855 had a blued or bright barrel.

[mec]

The Euroarms replica is good quality and a good shooter. Those are in 54 and they did do some experimentation with burton bullets well after the Mexican war. The one I borrowed for an article shot a bit low making me think it would have hit closer to poa with the 54 minies that you can get from Dixie gun works.

I loaded 70 grains of 2fg and the 230 -grain patched ball for 1423fps and a projected drop of 33 inches at 200 when sighted for 100 yards. With apologies to Mr Ford, this thing has it all over a Walker Revolver for range and energy.

[scrat]

thats a nice rifle so who here owns one.

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Yeah, pretty rifle. I don't own one but I DO have an exact copy of the .44 Walker that out shot it...Okay...