This is one of the tougher to find Civil War military contract rifles. This is the version that was made by the firm of Parker, Snow & Co. of Meriden, Connecticut. It is clearly maker marked on the lockplate by the maker and also has the production location. Behind the hammer it has the production date of 1864 clearly stamped into the metal. The lock mechanics catch crisply on each position. The barrel is full-length with the inspector's stamps still visible at the breech of the barrel. There is also the matching and correct 1864 production date on the barrel breech. It has the original front present and the rear sight is present with both of the sight leafs still hanging on. It has both of the original sling swivels underneath the gun. In the channel under the barrel, it has a modern made ramrod and one of the lockplate screws is a modern replacement. The stock has a very attractive deep dark look to the walnut. On the flat opposite of the lockplate it has the inspectors cartouche still present. These cartouche stamps are where the gun was approved for military service by the government inspectors. One is of "M.M." which stands for the inspector, Miles Moulton. The other is "O.W.A." that stands for Oliver W. Ainsworth. According to Flayderman's guide there were only 15,000 of these Parkers' Snow rifles made from 1863 to 1864. This is a beautiful looking original Civil War .58 caliber rifle by the Parkers, Snow Company that is a step above most of the ones you encounter.