Well, I'd been hunting for the start of my Civil War-era collection for awhile...almost made the mistake of jumping too early, as ya'll know from my prior post: http://www.jouster2.com/forums/showt...1855-questions.

I got the Willyard book, and using it, found another 1855 - a type I, very early. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/920680742

Seems that most 1855s, even in somewhat poorer condition, are typically priced at $3K+, so I paid the man and figured I'd see what I get. So here it is:









The shield over the eagle has the proper double-curved border from Springfield - the Harper's Ferry shield has one curved and one straight border.







Likewise, the "US" on the sight leave is a Springfield characteristic.





Both Allin's and Stillman's cartouches can still be seen.





Proper Springfield orientation of the date centered over the viewed/proof/eagle head stamps:







The hammer has been notched:





Still has an old roll of Maynard primers:





Brass nose-cap.



Respectable bore:





Well, there ya have it. No idea how this one came through 165 years looking this good - but nothing leaps out at me as obviously fake or vigorously overcleaned...

I really like the looks of the 1855. Overly complicated as the mechanism may have proven in combat, it is a beautiful weapon, one of my favorites.