The 1841 “Mississippi” Rifle

This handsomely rugged 1840s muzzleloader was prized by frontiersmen and military riflemen alike and helped phase out the smoothbore musket. This pre-Civil War hunter proudly displays his M1841 rifle, still in its original .54 caliber with original brass blade front and fixed-notch rear sights, along with an unidentified, holstered pistol, a stag-handled knife, powder flask and cartridge pouch—and of course, his faithful hunting