Correct Bridesburg ramrod?

[8683jb]

I just got an 1861 Bridesburg musket with 1863 improvements and I don't know that the ramrod is the correct one. This gun has the clamp-type barrel bands. It has the spoon and the steel rod stop in the stock. The ramrod that came with it is aged the same as the rest of the gun. It's threaded and has the bulge where it sits at the top barrel band. Also it extends about 1/4" past the muzzle. Is it the right one? If not, anyone have the right one? Thanks for the help.

[Southron Sr.]

The shank of thr U.S. Model 1863 ramrod was a tad thicker than the shank of the '61 ramrod with the swell below the head.

Also, the ramrod channel for the '61 ramrod is "opened up" where the swell on the rod is when the ramrod is fully inserted into the ramrod channel.

In other words, your '61 ramrod is incorrect for your '63 Model Bridesburg, but apparantly, it has been with the gun for a very long time.

[8683jb]

I thought that was probably the case. I'll keep my peepers open for the correct rod. Meanwhile, as long as this one stays put when I shoot it, it'll be just fine. Thanks for the info Southron.

[Southron Sr.]

Dixie Gun Works can sell you a replica '63 ramrod.

Good Luck!

[ms3635v]

I have two Bridesburg muskets. One is has an 1862 dated lock plate that has an 1861 barrel with the correct 1861 swelled ramrod. I also have one dated 1863 and it has a ramrod as described in Southron Sr.'s response.

[Jim Leinicke 7368V]

Hold up, Boys-
I just bought a Bridesburg musket yesterday and it is a mystery to me. This thing is dated 1864 and is set up entirely as a Model 1861, except for the fact that it has 1863 style round-face clamping bands and no band springs. The ramrod is a Model 1861 swelled type, and the stock is clearly cut for it. There is no spoon, and in fact it will not take a Model 1863 rod. It is in all respects a Model 1861 musket except for the barrel bands. So....Is there anyone authoritative out there who can comment on this??? All of my reference books are kind of vague on Alfred Jenks' transition from the 1861 style to the 1863 style musket, but there was apparently a transition period when the muskets conformed to neither the 1861 nor the 1863 style exactly. John Holland, are you out there????
Jim Leinicke

[John Holland]

Hi Jim....Nope, I'm not here.....not on this one anyway!

Seriously, I haven't heard of a combination such as you describe. I have seen all 1861 types, and all 1863 types made by Bridesburg, but not a blend of the two!?!?

John

[ms3635v]

Hello all. Please check Hartzler, Yantz and Whisker's book, "The U.S.Model 1861 Springfield Rifle-Musket". Please refer to pages 52 and 53, and you will see that the musket pictured has a lock dated 1864. The barrel bands are the clamping style bands consistent with the 1st model 1863. The hammer and barrel (flat bolster with the eagle stamped on the face of the bolster) are consistent with 1863 model. The ramrod is also of the design described by Southron Sr.

[8683jb]

Well, I learned more about Bridesburg ramrods than I thought I would ever need to! Bottom line is mine has the wrong one and I need to find the correct one. Thanks for all the help & info.

[Southron Sr.]

We also have to realize that in the post-war era, surplus dealers asasembled muskets and musket parts to make up saleable guns.

So, whenever I am confronted with a model that has a lot of differences from a standard model, I wonder: "Factory original or post-war surplus dealer put together."