This is not really in my wheelhouse for collecting but I stumbled across a rather clean example in a pawn shop. Wood and metal were really in remarkable condition. From my limited knowledge there was somewhere around 25,000 of these made and if I'm not mistaken it was one of if not the last US adopted muzzleloading service weapon. Price based on condition seemed very reasonable for a piece of Civil War history at $800. I am seriously considering purchasing it but I thought I would pick the brain of those who know more than I. I didn't get a chance to write the serial number down sadly. The ramrod style on this one was the tulip head design. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Good point on the serial number I was thinking of my trapdoor and not the muskets. So clearly you can see I have had limited time with these. There is no doubt in my mind this is original. There is of course patina and wear on the weapon that I don't think anyone could fake or simulate to this degree. From the muzzle end there is wear on the rifling to the degree you can hardly see it. Improper cleaning and loading techniques?, firing rapidly in haste?, or just honest use?. Aside from the very end of the barrel where there is some visible pitting, stated wear, and coloration change the rest of the weapon particularly the stock is in incredible shape for being that old. I want to get a second look at the gun but I have to work today so I will call the shop and have them put it aside for me with a small refundable deposit as I am off on Tuesday from work which is also coincidentally my birthday!

Happy Birthday Jeremy and have a great Tuesday!

(Believe it or not, back in the 1960s there were very few replicas & reproductions and they were obvious. It was a lot less confusing then).

Photos. I haven't pulled the trigger yet. Any additional advice would be greatly appreciated. Final price would be $850.

WOW...  Looks pretty good to me (although I'm in no way an expert... or even a novice for that matter).

Well, it certainly appears to be a very decent original Springfield Rifled-Musket.

$850 is a bargain.

I don't agree with the 'Militia due to lack of cartouche conclusion'. Most of the Union Regiments, raised during the conflict, were State Regiments (Like '24th Michigan', '69th New York', '110th Ohio').

Just MHO, but, it is possible your friends are over generalizing and confusing CW period markings with 1873 Springfield type cartouches.
The Arms were marked differently in the two periods.

When they appear, I believe the CW markings are small and usually on the flat wood, opposite the Lock. (Not in the wrist area like a model 1873 Springfield).

Rifling should be Three-Grooves with a slow twist rate of 1 turn in 72 inches.

Dick Hosmer gave you a great clue. Slide one of the barrel-bands forward and make sure the inletting for the band-spring is square-cut and not round at the rear.

(I don't understand this 'Militia' thing. During the CW, the State raised regiments were in Federal Service and were desperately needed.

IMHO - A front line weapon, like a Springfield made in 1864, if issued, would go to soldiers in Federal Service.

There were plenty of secondary weapons to pawn off on the militia, if State militia was even still existing in numbers. Lorenze, Potsdam, obsolete .69 caliber Springfield rifles and smooth-bores were available for such use).

If "the market is soft", that is good for the Buyer (you, unless you are planning a Quick 'flip'), but, not for the Seller. That's the time to Buy!

FWIW - The Springfield, you are looking at, has had the Breech-Plug removed at some time by a 'non-Armorer'. The distorted metal on the right side of the tang shows the wrong type of wrench was used. This blemish is not unusual on original Arms.

photos:
1. The mortise Mr. Hosmer spoke of.
2. My model 1866 - 2nd Allin Conversion has no visible wood markings (except impression/bruise from the impact of a screw-head).

The wood lines look very 'crisp' on that stock. The rifle could not have been fired much. The percussion cap system will, with use, cause damage and discoloration to the wood around the bolster/nipple area, unless further protected.

Caution - The trigger on a CW Springfield should be smooth.

It appears in your photo, the trigger is 'checkered'. That could be a trigger-guard unit from a model 1873 Springfield. I believe the trigger-guard units are identical, except the 1873 guard was 'browned' (blued) and it has a 'checkered' trigger.

(Re-visit my previous Post, which has been edited, regarding blemish on Breech-Plug).

FWIW - I suspect a 'Shooter' has once owned this model 1863 Springfield. It was un-breeched for barrel inspection/cleaning. A model 1873 trigger (or whole trigger-guard unit) was put on it.

These are minor faults and correctible. They indicate the rifle has been 'tinkered with'.