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Krider

Closer to the form of Ml841 rifle as manufactured in the South is the militia rifle of J. H. Krider, Philadelphia. Somewhat more common than others of this breed, the Krider rifle was “an exceptionally wellmade piece, but does not conform to any U. S. Model.” The patchbox is the Sharps-form of Justice and Henry. Brass mounted, with white-metal stock tip, the rear sling swivel is attached to the guard bow like the Enfield. The 33-inch barrel has seven-groove rifling, caliber .58, the fixed rear sight, no proof marks, a cone seat like the Ml841-2 pattern, is browned finish, and is stamped philadela. The Enfield-type lock is

stamped krider, and is casehardened. Lock and cone seat touch, and there is a sliver of stock wood surrounding lock under the cone seat. Length overall 4 feet 1 1/2 inches; weight 8 1/2 pounds.
There is a possibility it was this rifle of which Alabama purchasing agent J. R. Powell wrote on December 6 and December 7, . He was at the St. Nicholas Hotel in New York travelling through New England and down to Washington and back. He had purchased a lot of “Minnie guns” already, but for a time the New York market was cleared of surplus, a “European order of which I telegraphed you has taken up all the Government arms and that the agents understood to represent Victor Emanuel have bought all the Minnie guns for sale in (the) trade.” The Italians were also having a Civil War. On the 7th Powell stated positively: “I have contracted today for 365 more Minnie muskets, 5 grooves instead of seven which the others had, at $13.”
That these were not Whitney arms is proved by his statement that “Whitney’s factory of New Haven I have not visited from the prejudices with which you inspired me toward his guns before I left home. I understand he has served Mississippi worse than our state.”
In addition to Mississippi and Alabama, another state which seems to have explored the possibility of Northern equipment prior to the final rupture in April was Tennessee. The only justification for this claim in particular is the recent finding “in Tennessee” of serial number “1” of the Orison Blunt Enfield Rifle Musket.

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