[5] It was the most widely used Union Army shoulder weapon during the Civil War, favored for its range, accuracy, and reliability.

[6] The barrel was 40 inches (100 cm) long, firing a .58 caliber Minié ball, and the total weight was approximately 9 pounds (4.1 kg).

However, over time, more and more regiments began receiving Model 1861 rifled muskets, though this upgrade appeared somewhat quicker in the Eastern Theater of Operations.

Over 1,000,000 Model 1861 rifled muskets were produced, with the Springfield Armory increasing its production during the war by contracting out to twenty other firms in the Union.

Further, most Civil War firefights were waged at a relatively close range using massed-fire tactics, minimizing the effect of the new rifled musket's long-range accuracy.

[10] The Model 1861 is very popular today among Civil War reenactors and collectors alike for its accuracy, reliability and historical background.

Original antique Springfields are expensive, so companies such as Davide Pedersoli & C., Chiappa Firearms (Armi Sport) and Euro Arms make modern reproductions at much more affordable prices.