Originally chambered for the .54 ball, the rifle underwent a modification in 1855 to accept the .58 Minie ball, a French development which had proven successful in Europe's Crimean War (1853-1856). The .58 Minie a standard upon its introduction for the American Army and the existing stock of Model 1841s were reworked to support it. At about this time, the rifle was also given bayonet mountings to complete its appearance and compete with established European standards. Other changes eventually included a leaf sighting device for the rear replacing the V-notch. Some later guns went further and added a ladder sight.
First use of the Model 1841 was during the Seminole Wars (1816-1858) between the United States Army and the Seminole native American Indian tribes of the Pensacola, Florida region. The rifle-musket then earned its popular name of "Mississippi Rifle" during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) under the banner of the Mississippi volunteer regiment headed by Jefferson Davis. Davis fought to get the relatively untested rifle-muskets into the hands of his men and the weapon proved beneficial in actions of the Battle of Buena Vista (1847) against Santa Anna's forces. The battle became a decisive victory by the 4,594 Americans over the much larger Mexican Army of 15,142 strong and the overall campaign was an American success which primarily forced the Mexican recognition of Texas.
Like other mid-century guns, the Model 1841 remained in circulation - and in useable numbers - by the time of the American Civil War (1861-1865) as Southern states clashed with their Northern brethren. Jefferson Davis went on to become the President of the newly-founded Confederate government and carried with him battlefield experience as leader. As the South lacked the production facilities of the North, any and all viable weaponry was attained including the rather outdated Model 1841 - its rifled design still an upgrade to the available, yet less accurate, smoothbore long guns. Like the South, Federal forces also carried the Harper's Ferry Model 1841 into combat as shortages were apparent on both sides when the fighting began. However, Northern use of the gun seems to have ended during 1863 while Confederate forces carried the rifle-musket into the last days of the fighting in 1865. Even at this point, the weapon was still called mainly by its well-earned nickname of Mississippi Rifle.
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