This is FINE condition example of the less commonly encountered “short” pattern .58 caliber tompion that saw use with the US military during the American Civil War period. According to Shaffer, Rutledge & Dorsey in their book Gun Tools – Their History and Identification (Volume I) a similar tompion is shown in pamphlet Description & Rules for the U.S. Model 1863 Rifle Musket, although that example is slightly longer than this one, measuring 2 13/16”, while this example is 2 1/8” in length. A nearly identical example is pictured in Gun Tools – Their History and Identification (Volume II) on page 286 as the second item. It measures only ¼” longer at 2 3/8”. In all other ways this example conforms to that example, with a .58 diameter body, a cruciform cut in the wood and a ¾” diameter collar. That example is also dark, like this one. It is not clear what hardwood this example is made from, possibly maple as many other tompions were made for, but stained or darkened from use and oil. The tompion remains in FINE condition as noted and shows only some minor dings and mars from handling and use. 

These shorter bodied tompions are much less commonly encountered than the more typical examples that usually measure between 2 ¾” and 3” in length. This would be a fine addition to any collection of Civil War era gun tools and would look great in the muzzle of your fine condition .58 caliber rifle or rifle musket.

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