U. S. Model 1855 Series

There are five models of the M-1855 series that will be of specific interest to the Civil War re-enactors and shooters. Two of these are Rifles, and three are Rifle Muskets. (There are two additional Models, a 38 inch barreled Cadet Model made for training, and a single shot Cavalry Pistol-Carbine, which will not be included herein.)

The 1855 series are the first U. S. Military firearms designed specifically to use the new rifling technology developed around the .58 cal. "Mine Ball". The Mine Ball was an elongated hollow based projectile, which was made slightly smaller then the bore diameter. This meant that the firearm could be loaded very fast. Fast for the time was four rounds per minute. The hollow base would expand into the rifling when the gun was fired creating a tight gas seal. These weapons were designed to shoot accurately up to 1000 yards depending on the sight arrangement.

The '55 series also incorporated a new automatic priming technology called the "Maynard Primer System". The lock plate contained a compartment or a magazine, which held a paper roll of 50 primers. As the hammer was cocked one of these primers was automatically fed over the cone (nipple) where the hammer would fall, exploding the primer and firing the gun. It was intended as a time saving device enabling the soldier to perhaps get off 5 to, perhaps, 6 rounds per minute.
Completely functional Maynard locks are available, request availability and price info

1855 Lock Plate

Maynard Tape Primers

#1. The first of the "55 series to be adopted is commonly referred to as the "Brass mounted '55 Rifle". This rifle supports all brass furniture with patch box, 33" browned barrel with long-range rear sight (located 2.875 " from the breech graduated to 1000 yards), and a bayonet lug for a brass hilted saber bayonet. This rifle is perhaps one of the best-looking U.S. Military firearms ever made!



U.S. Model 1855 Brass Mounted rifle



The unusual 1 3/8th long nose cap of the Brass Mounted Rifle

#2. The next model that came out was the "iron mounted" rifle. This rifle is almost identical to the Brass mounted version. All furniture is iron, finished bright. Rear sight maybe either a long-range rear sight graduated to 800 yards or a three-leaf short sight graduated to 300 yards.

(Firearm not pictured)

#3. At this same time the first of the three-band 1855 Rifle Muskets was coming out. This has a long-range rear sight graduated to 800 yards and is placed approximately 5 ½" from the breech. (It is due to this rear sight placement that an M-1861 cannot be converted into this model '55) All iron furniture is finished bright, without a patch box and with a brass nose cap.

#4. A variation of this Rifle Musket can have the three-leaf 300-yard sight Located the standard 2 7/8th inch from the breech. (The M-1861 can be converted into this model.)



Three-leaf rear sight version of an Early 1855 Rifle Musket

#5. The last or Late Model 1855 introduces the patch box to the rifle musket for the first time. All the furniture iron on this model.



Late Model 1855 Rifle Musket (Note, the use of the patch box on this model)

For the Living Historians/Re-enactors, whether doing an early or late war, Federal or Confederate impression, choosing one of several pre-war firearms to go with your impression just makes good economical sense. One authentically made and finished firearm should meet all your historical requirements.

Historical Notes

Shortly after Virginia secedes from the Union on April 17th 1861, Virginia State troops capture the Federal Arsenal and Armory at Harper's Ferry, VA. The entire rifle musket making machinery was transported to the Virginia State Armory in Richmond, VA where it was put to use manufacturing the Confederate version of the M-1855 in the form of the famous Richmond Rifle Musket, Rifles and Carbines.

The Rifle making machinery was transported to the North Carolina State Armory at Fayetteville, NC where the equally well-known Fayetteville Rifles were manufactured also for the Confederacy.

Between these two Armories', approximately 370,000 firearms of all models and types were manufactured for the Confederacy.

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