Browned and Color Cased 1861 Springfield repo, authentic?

[WpnsMan]

As the title says, is a browned barrel and color cased lock and bands an authentic finish for an 1861 Springfield? I am posting a new thread on this subject as I do not want to derail another thread regarding an Armi-Sport 1861 Springfield musket.

I just acquired an older Armi-Sport 1861 reproduction musket, though it hasn’t arrived yet, as the price was too good to pass up. When the seller sent pictures, I was surprised by the finish assuming it would have been “struck bright” as most of the current reproductions are. While it will have to be de-farbed, it would be a shame to polish the beautiful color casing from the lock and bands if in fact that finish is historically correct.

While I do not want to start a finish controversy like that regarding the P53 Enfield, there is evidence to support the use of color cased locks. Though, I have not found the same to support this finish on bands or anything to support browned barrels at this point.

Any documented or otherwise supported input would be appreciated,

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Browned and Color Cased 1861 Springfield repo, authentic?

Hallo!

"As the title says, is a browned barrel and color cased lock and bands an authentic finish for an 1861 Springfield?"

No.

The M1861's were finished bright at the armory.
(Some are found with the rear sight assembly still in its blackened finish.)

The hammer and lock plate WERE case hardened as part of the manufactuirng process, but any "color" was struck bright.

However, rarely, some are found with their barrel band springs still in their blue-black unpolished condition and the same for screws. It is not known for sure, or documented, whether they left the armory or contractors that way or whether they had been replaced with unissued springs or screws.

For some reason, this was changed with the M1863/M1864 Springfields where the lock and hammer were left colored.

Minor point of trivia... the U.S. M1822 variation made between 1822 and 1831 (aka M1816 Type II) had all its parts acid browned save for the lock and hammer. The browning was dropped with the final variation (aka M1816 Type III) in 1831 when it was ordered that they return to "National Armory Bright" which lasted until the M1873 Springfield.

Curt

[WpnsMan]

Re: Browned and Color Cased 1861 Springfield repo, authentic?

Curt,

It seems my initial assumption was correct as to this finish not being authentic. Thank you for confirming that with your informative reply. I just wanted to make sure before I attempted to “fix” something that may not have truly been broken.

While searching through Lodgewood’s site I saw reference to M1861 Springfield locks that were listed as being “Color Cased” from both Springfield and various contract makers. Strangely (or not) most of those listed as such had dates of 1862-1864.

This tidbit of information along with the posted picture on there site, which clearly shows color cased locks intermixed with bright and patina’d examples (though no detailed shots), gave me doubt and prompted my question. As these were listed under M1861 locks as opposed to M1863/64 models it may raise a question you alluded to in your response.

“For some reason, this was changed with the M1863/M1864 Springfields where the lock and hammer were left colored.”

That being, the presence of color casing on the locks and hammers of the M1863/64 may have been a manufacturing option intended to speed production. While pure speculation on my part, it would make sense that the specification for supplying bright locks on newly manufactured (1862-64) M1861's would likewise be dropped.

Confirming this theory would be a daunting task no doubt requiring the inspection of pristine examples encompassing these dates. That is, if enough could be found with the appropriate provenance as opposed to those that may have been struck bright in arsenals or otherwise after the hostilities. Such as the case of many Enfields.

Fortunately, my Armi-Sport has an 1861 date so, stuck bright it will be.

Thank you,