HOME

SMALL ARMS INDEX

MODERN ARMIES

SPECIAL FORCES

ARMS BY COUNTRY

ARMS MANUFACTURERS

COMPARE ARMS

ARMS BY CONFLICT

ARMS BY TYPE

ARMS BY DECADE

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR ARMS

Infantry Small Arms / The Warfighter

Miller Model 1861

Breech-Loading Rifle [ 1865 ]

The Miller Model 1861 was the Springfield Model 1861 Rifle-Musket converted from muzzle-loading to breech-loading using the patented Miller conversion block arrangement.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/08/2016 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

The Springfield Model 1861 rifle musket was produced in over 1 million examples during and after the American Civil War (1861-1865) and used by both sides of the conflict. However, its muzzle-loading arrangement made it obsolete in an age when the breech-loading system was growing into standardized usage. This led to some manufacturers converting the famous long gun into breech-loading forms by reworking the original flintlock system in play. One such conversion - undertaken by the Meriden Manufacturing Company of Connecticut - produced the "Miller Model 1861". The gun carried the surname of "conversion block" patent holders William H. and George W. Miller. In the system, a release catch found along the top of the barrel was used to brake the action open along a hinge, exposing the breech for inserting a cartridge. The patented arrangement was also featured in Parker's Snow and Company Model 1861 rifles.

Conversion work on the guns spanned from 1865 to 1867 and, by and large, the weapons retained their general form and function complete with the long single-piece wood body with integrated grip handle and shoulder stock. Two barrel bands were used to secure the barrel to the wood body. Sighting devices were set over the receiver and over the muzzle for ranged fire in the usual way. The trigger and loop guard were underslung beneath the action. Overall length measured 47.2 inches with a barrel of 39 inches. Weight was about 10lbs.

Despite the modification to breech-loading, the guns remained single-shot weapons as the Model 1861s before them. They were chambered for a .58 caliber rimfire cartridge. The reloading process, however, was much improved over the original Springfields as a trained shooter could manage up to six shots per minute. In the original rifle muskets, an operator could hope to reach a rate of fire of about two to three rounds per minute.©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Roles [+] Physical [+] Performance [+] Variants [+] Honors [+]

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)