Need Help Identifying a Long Gun

[WillRuss]

I said "Long Gun" as I don't know if it was rifled or not. This is a pic of my GGGrandfather shortly after he enlisted in the 19th Alabama in August 1861.

(He survived the war and became a postmaster in central FL, where he died in 1903.)

Any ideas as to what it might be? I'd like to identify the weapon so I can get a repro and SHOOT IT!!

 

[MilsurpShooter]

I'd hazard a guess at an Enfield. Could be a Whitworth though, can't really tell much by the picture and the angle

 

[WillRuss]

Thanks Jay. I've been spending some time comparing it to pics of other long guns of the era that I can find online and now I'm leaning towards an 1841 Mississippi Rifle. I can only make out one mid-barrel band and what appears to be a small rear sight in front of the hammer. The end of the stock seems to dissappear too soon, but it might be a brass band, and all of these would indicate an 1841.

Any more opinions are welcomed!

 

[Niner]

Looks like a three band Enfield but the stock doesn't seem to go far enough forward. My great grandfather was in the 21st Alabama by the way. The Enfield looks like the attached.

 

[Tinker2]

WillRuss

I think that it may be a prop from an old photo studio?
The picture looks to be from after he was released from
the war?

Your GGGrandfather lost his right leg in the war?
You are a lucky man to have the picture.


Tinker2

 

[bonza]

WillRuss,

The rifle looks to be too short to be a 3-Band Enfield, plus the shape of the top of the buttstock (flat comb) looks like an American Springfield-inspired stock. That feature, along with the pale looking (brass?) barrel bands & what appears to be a well set-back fixed rear sight, seems to suggest a Model 1841. Also, the probability of it being a studio prop-gun is pretty real, too.

 

[WillRuss]

Thanks for the responses folks. I need to do some more research and see if that regiment fielded any 1841's.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure the photo was taken when he joined. "1861" is scribbled on the back of the tin-type plate along with his initials. Accoriding to my now deceased Great Aunt, what appears to be a missing leg is due to him being issued a uniform about two sizes too big. He had just turned 21 when he joined and weighed about 100lbs dripping wet. I bet firing a .54 cal rifle did nearly as much damage to him as to the enemy!

 

[TnRebel]

WillRuss ; have you ever thought about joining the SCV ?