U.S. MORSE CENTERFIRE ALTERATION Description
.69 cal., musket converted from percussion to breech loading cartridge, lockplate marked "U.S.", "Springfield", date, and eagle, top of the barrel is cut away for the breech block which is free to pivot upward manually when at half cock, remaining hammer serves as a locking mechanism for breech block, 40 1/2 in. rifled barrel, iron mountings, front component of hammer is cut away, forward lock retainer is near round, slotted head nut on outside, 55 3/4 in. OAL. Mfg. circa 1860-1861. RF=4.
The Morse is the first U.S. breech loading cartridge longarm.