What do I have?

[fordmech00]

I have been searching the interwebs without much luck, and was hoping the the knowledgeable people on the forum could help me out. I recently acquired a few muskets in a deal from someone who's late husband was a re-enactor. They had been sitting for awhile and were dirty with some lite surface rust. One of the musket?s lock plate is marked ?1863 CS Richmond VA?. It has all the characteristics of a modern Italian repo but after doing some research most of the ones being imported appear to be marked with the 1862 date. If someone could help me out and point me in the right direction as to who the manufacturer might be that would be greatly appreciated. The link below will take you to the photos.

https://imgur.com/a/KvP4CgT

[Ron The Old Reb]

​Looks like a Euroarms repro. If you remove the barrel there should be a date code when it was manufactured stamped on the bottom.

[Wayne Shaw, 1985V]

Well the barrel is not original. I would follow ron s suggestion and remove the barrel and look closely for any marks or stampings. Since the barrel is showing a breech line, so in it's life it was replaced. A place to start. Good luck.

Wayne Shaw N-SSA National IG SAC and Harlans Light Cav

[fordmech00]

These are the markings I found when I removed the barrel:

9962
9963

The only other markings I could find were on the lock plate a ?w? and a ?m? ont the sear

9964
9965

[Lou Lou Lou]

Could the W be a Whitaker barrel? If so excellent barrel

[John Holland]

Fordmech00 - I suspect you may have a Whitacre built musket, especially with the "W" on the inside of the lock plate. The barrel is definitely one of Dan's barrels, and by the markings it was made in May 1999, and is 0.577 caliber. Personally, I would call him to discuss it. His number can be found on the N-SSA Homepage under "Links".

[Kevin Tinny]

Hello:

Lou's info matches my 1855 with Dan Whitacre barrel and breech.
My barrel has the "W" within a minie and is stamped 777 .577 traced to 1994 via SAC card of original owner. My breech, also by Dan, has a W within a circle.

So, based on mine, which I authenticated with Dan, yours is a Whitacre barrel and breech.

As for the parting line, you'd best ask Dan, but such lines on mine, though faint, are common.
The type of finish on the barrel, such as browning, can have a texture that masks some parting lines.

PLEASE, do NOT try to remove the breech or plug without FIRST speaking to Dan. Thanks.

08AUG20 addendum:
The 777 for July, 1977 is correct, but the parts for this rifle sat unassembled with one gun maker and years later were moved to Tom Nixon for completion. That explains the 1977 barrel and 1994 SAC Card.

All the best,
Kevin Tinny

[ms3635v]

I have a 40" 1855/1861 Whitacre barrel that I bought from Dan around 1985 and it has serial number 390.9975