1st Minnesota/ Model 1855 Weapons issue?

[gsusat]

I wanted to add that I agree with Blair. The original Harper's Ferry weapons I own and have examined have been nice quality. The period of the 1850's I believe the tolerences were in the 2 - 3 throusands of an inch. Even the early HF weapons do not seem any different quality wise from the other manufacturers.

[David Fox]

Fellows: far be it from me to place myself betwixt those enamoured with Harpers Ferry and its weapons and the objects of their affections. This gentlemanly exchange demonstrates perhaps an unexpected if tiny additional reason why the Civil War and its era remains controversial to this day...some argue ad infinitum the causes of the war, we who have more focused interests wax potentially ouchy concerning perceived calumny heaped upon an obscure and long dormant manufacturing site. I'm one who also has a soft spot in my heart and head for the Ferry (Great Grandpa was briefly stationed there in 1862 after routing the Rebs out of Antietam's Bloody Lane with a little help from his II Corps friends). I hope to be up there next month on another pilgrimage. I skimmed the stuff from the book on the Ferry for the purpose of demonstrating a theory why, if the State of Minnesota had M1855 rifle-muskets on hand at War's beginning, they perhaps were more likely to have been made at the Ferry than at Springfield and, thus, in the hands of those of the 1st Minnesota Infantry who may have been armed with '55s. That aside, one of my favorite Gettysburg monuments is that somewhat eccentric looking fellow atop the 1st Minnesota's. I always pause when there to commune with him.

[gsusat]

Well put David

I have always been enamoured with Harper's Ferry and their products. History seemed to have stoped there many times. John Hall acomplished a Technological marvel there with his acomplishments with interchangable parts and he was working against the grain at the Armory. I got to visit Springfield for the first time last year and it was interesting they did not even mention that. Guess they were being site specific. Roswel Lee was a driving force for innovation there early in their history.

Sometimes I think we study history partly for those pearls.....

[lwtaggart]

Taken from Document files held by Minnestoa State Historian Retired, Steve Osman, four companies of the 1st Minn. received the model 55 rifle musket. Records show that three shiments were delivered from the St. Louis Arsenal as State Property. There is no mention of the maker or dates produced. The mention of the the 1st being issued the Springfiled 55 made in Richard Moe"s "Last Full Measure" was a generic description. There was no research done by him to determine the makers of this weapon.

Cheers!
George Taggart

[Blair]

George,

Do you have a date for the arms shipments "delivered from the St. Louis Arsenal"?
This may give you some idea as to which '55 Rifle Musket variant was in this shipment. It won't help identify which Armory was the maker.

[lwtaggart]

Blair,

I have asked Steve if he would share with me the file info he has. The same question occured to me. I'll sure post that if I get anything.

George Taggart

[Blair]

George,

I have at this time a rather couplet set of photographs of the three various types of '55 "Rifle Musket" produced at both Harpers Ferry and Springfield.
If you would like, I will send these to you via an e-mail request, by their respective variation/group (three e-mails).
I can also tell you the various dates of production throughout this time period, which may help you in your search.
E-mail me and let me know how you would like to continue with this.
I hope this info may help you,

[Johan Steele]

I have handled an original M1855 w/ provenance to a 1st MN Veteran it was a Springfield Manufacture w/ an 1860 lock and barrel. Though there was some question as to when it was aqcuired or if it was the same arm carried by the man or one purchased post war.

[lwtaggart]

Thank you for that post Johan...

George Taggart