Remington Model 1841 (Mississippi Rifle)

History

The Remington Firearms Company today has a long and illustrious history dating back to the company founded in 1816 by Eliphalet Remington (1793-1861). The company grew in the early days of gun manufacturing before becoming a household name.

In the early 1840s, Harpers Ferry Arsenal began production of a new muzzle-loading impact long rifle called the Model 1841 "Mississippi Rifle". Such is the success of this rifle - it was used successfully in both the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and the Civil War (1861-1865) - E. Remington & Sons of Ilion, New York, purchased approximately 5,000 Cincinnati-based John Griffiths of the type, and also agreed to the terms of the manufacturing machinery involved.

This purchase enabled the Remington company to make the Type 1841 its own - it had been the Remington Type 1841 since 1850. It was purchased in bulk by the U.S.

Army, opening the door to future U.S. government contracts that would make Remington one of the most successful and longest-running American gun manufacturers in history. These rifles retain the designation "Mississippi Rifles" in honor of the numerous Mississippi rifles commanded by Colonel Jefferson Davis (future Confederate President) during the Battle of Buena Vista in the Mexican-American War.

The Remington Model 1841 is largely indistinguishable from their Harper's Ferry design, featuring a single strap design, durable wood body and integrated handle, and a patch box in stock. The weapon was still a muzzle-loading single-shot rifle, so a striker rod was carried and secured in a channel under the barrel to force the barrel contents down near the action. The action itself relies on a striking cap system that places the cap on the waiting nipple. When the cocked hammer lands on this cover, the propellant in the barrel (and behind the projectile) is ignited, and the projectile is pushed out of the muzzle end. The percussion cap arrangement is a major improvement over the old, early temperament flintlock system.

Rifled barrels also improve accuracy by giving the fired projectile a tighter twist.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes