What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

[hireddutchcutthroat]

What kind of musket(s) do you use? Original or repop?

[Foggy Bottom Jim]

I carry a repro. 1855, with working Maynard, for early war impressions (up to 1862) and a repro. 1861 Springfield for the rest of the war.

[Jimmayo]

Depends. I carried a 1863 Norwich for years until repros became available. Now I only use the originals for living histories. For the 125th Manassas most of my unit had original M1842s. Original 42s only cost between 250 and 300 dollars then when repro enfields were 195. Today I use my Lorenz, my old reliable Norwich or repros.

My repros are a Mississippi and 42 for early war, 61 springfield for everything else.

And by the way, the originals feel better and shoot better (1st time every time) than do any of the repros.

[CaptainUCSB]

I only use repro muskets that have been "Defarbed." Original muskets stay on the wall.

I would feel terrible if I were to damage an original, and I dont think that it is authentic to be carrying a musket that looks 140 years old. If you can get repro to look as authentic as possible, it will look more authentic for the time period than an original.

[Company Tailor]

I second that. Using originals, in my mind, constitutes "consumptive use of artifacts" (even though I've been guilty of it many times). Sure, they're lighter and they feel better but they aren't making originals any more.

I use a defarbed '55.

[Jimmayo]

Why does everyone think that an original has to look 140 years old?

The ones I use look better and are kept better than some of the repros that take the field. As for using them, it's unlikely that much can happen at living histories and they do spark up lots of interest. You want to get a spectators attention tell them your weapon was actually used by a CW soldier. It puts a real link to the past in their hand.

Thats a little different than taking them out for the weekend in the weather and playing shootemup. I can't justify that any more. Back in the 70s and 80s parts for originals were cheap and available. You could even buy stocks for about 75.00. No so anymore.

After use they get a new cleaning, stock oiled and back on the wall they go. Have seen folks who never let their originals see the light of day and the stocks get dry and the bores rusted.

Oh by the way, I keep my repros in the flower bed along with my buttons so they will look old.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

I have/carry 1862 Springfield (built from parts) 1838 Springfield, and am putting together an Lorenz and a Potsdam from parts. All mine are original.

Im thinking about getting a repro Enfield soon.

[Pip63]

Both. There are 10 guys in my unit each with his own personal musket. We also have several original '53 Enfields that a couple of us switch in and out on, just depends on what we feel like using. If we go to an event where there will be a long march we will take the original because they are not as heavy as the repos. I have a '53 Enfield, defarbed, with the barrel and lock polished in the white.

Phillip Lasseter
32nd Miss Infantry

[tmr1]

What kind of musket(s) do you use? Original or repop?
I use a custom made musket that combines original parts with correct authentic reproduction parts. My M1861 Springfield features an original 1862 stamped lockplate with all original internal parts, Hammer, trigger, trigger bow, buttplate and top barrel band, All original parts are in very,very nice shape. The two other barrel bands are fine repros from Nick Brevoort, the stock is from Dunlap stocks, and the barrel is from Robt. Whitaker.
It is a great '61 and shoots well and has served me well since 1989.
Ted Rupel

[58 lorenz]

I think that,for me, there is just more of a "connection" when I am carrying my original '61-something tangible that was there then. It has a few repop parts on it,like the rammer,and the barrel is dated '63 while the lock is dated '61. most people that see it do not realize it is an original,as it is in good shape and unpitted. I do have a defarbed 61 on the way,as I am more concerned about possible theft than any wear resulting from a few day's use each year. I have a very nice Lorenz also,but I have yet to take that into the field. When the right scenario comes along, I may use my '16 conversion.

Doug Price

[Jayhawk102]

I have only been reenacting for about 4 years now, and I will only use a repo due to I think a Authenic should be in a museum for all to see what weapons where fighting with on the field of battle.
-------------

Tim Campbell
Olathe Union Guard

[BrianHicks]

Defarbed model 1816 Conversion for early war Conf.

Defarbed '53 Enfield for all other impressions.

When finances will permit, I'll add a defarbed '61 Springfield for most of my Union impressions.

[flattop32355]

Repro 1863 Springfield and 1853 Enfield, both in the process of being defarbed. Enfield will be left blued.

As an aside: Concerning a previous comment that authentic weapons should be in museums so people can see them: I don't necessarily disagree with that sentiment, but I kinda feel like every one of us is a mini-museum of sorts, and the best way to let folks not only see but to touch and hold such items safely, is in the hands of a reenactor. Just a thought.....

[26th NC]

Depends on time period, unit, Federal or Confederate I am portraying, what they actually carried etc. I have a repro 42, 61, 41 and P53, all defarbed by Lodgewood. I also have a double barrel shotgun. My original Parker, Snow and Company 1861 remains on the wall. If it were to break, so would my heart.

Layton Pennington

[kemper_rifles]

I use an original converted M1840 Springfield. Its in good shape, I take good care of it, and it doesn't look 140 years old, more like 160. Kidding, I took all the rust off it and it looks dandy. Originals don't have to look old. A good file can do wonders. Right now I'm in the market for a Lorenz.

Don't know why there is apprehension to use origionals. If you clean them up, they are as authentic as you can get. Can't really harm them, they've already been to hell and back. I personally wouldn't spend a lot of money on something that is just going to stay on the wall and collect dust. I have a cheap clock for that.

[LibertyHallVols]

Both of mine are "Parts Guns" using some original and some reproduction parts. One is a US M1835 (1840?) Belgian conversion. The other is an Enfield.

[MoFed]

Armisport 1842 Springfield
Euroarms 1853 Enfield
Original double barrel, 12 gauge shotgun

Charles D. Hoskins

[A Sykes Regular]

1855 Springfield for pre- and early-war impressions (soon to be retrofitted with a functioning Maynard), and 1861 Springfield (Euroarms) for mid- to late-war impressions...

[LWhite64]

Hmmm....Well my mainstay is my trusty Enfield Rifled Musket, then I have my beloved Cook and Brother Rifle...Gasp! A two bander. Then I have my Henry and my Whitworth. I want to add a Mississippi Rifle and a 42 to this list in the near future.

Lee

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Hmmm....Well my mainstay is my trusty Enfield Rifled Musket, then I have my beloved Cook and Brother Rifle...Gasp! A two bander. Then I have my Henry and my Whitworth. I want to add a Mississippi Rifle and a 42 to this list in the near future.

Lee

I have to blame old Dan M for getting me to think of anything but American or "Kraut" arms. :D

Oh Yea! I want a Mississippi!

[Nighthawk]

I use an original Austrian Lorenz, and being a lover of the much maligned two-banders, a repro Fayetteville Rifle.

[Huck]

Orginial Harpersferry 42
Repop 55 with working Maynard
Repop 61
Repop (a really old one) Enfield
Repop Mississippi
:D

[Jerseyman]

Primarily, I use my repro '61 Springfield. However, depending on the exact scenario, or event, I'll use my repro '63 Springfield or on rare occasions my original '61 S-field (lock is dated 1862).

I've been wanting to start on a parts rifle and as a side topic, since quite a few seem to have already endeavored to put a parts rifle together, I would be interested in any input anyone had on any difficulties, or issues, they encountered putting one together.

Jeffrey Lau

[Rich Pisarski]

Primarily, I use my repro '61 Springfield. However, depending on the exact scenario, or event, I'll use my repro '63 Springfield or on rare occasions my original '61 S-field (lock is dated 1862).

I've been wanting to start on a parts rifle and as a side topic, since quite a few seem to have already endeavored to put a parts rifle together, I would be interested in any input anyone had on any difficulties, or issues, they encountered putting one together.

Jeffrey Lau
I have a defarbed 53 Enfield and currently cleaning up an original 42 Springfield intended for living history events and parades

[rebyank]

1. Repro '62 richmond(Armisport) I barely ever use anymore.
2. Repro '53 enfield(Armisport) with an original bayonet as it's mate.
3. Repro flintlock rifle for early war reb.
4. My baby, an original 1822 French Infantry musket, in .72 Cal. with a bayonet from the same manufacturer. My repros see more shelf time than this one

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Primarily, I use my repro '61 Springfield. However, depending on the exact scenario, or event, I'll use my repro '63 Springfield or on rare occasions my original '61 S-field (lock is dated 1862).

I've been wanting to start on a parts rifle and as a side topic, since quite a few seem to have already endeavored to put a parts rifle together, I would be interested in any input anyone had on any difficulties, or issues, they encountered putting one together.

Jeffrey Lau

No problems at all...other than time and $$$.

[John of the Skulkers Mess]

• Repro Enfield R.M.
•*Original Prussian smoothie
•*half and half M1816/1822
•*Original converted Springfield M1795/1808 - has Harpers Ferry lock dated 1816, but lock is of 1795 style (I'm told). Bolster conversion.

Need to sell that last one.
Hope (someday) to pick up civilian arm (shotgun?) and Lorenz.
And a doggone M1849 Colt, repro acceptable!



John Pillers
skulkerjohn@yahoo.com

[Possum Skinner]

Defarbed 1853 Enfield Armisport repop.

Looking to get a '42 Springfield this summer (please honey :wink_smil )next.

[ScottMcKay]

* original 69cal. Belgian smoothbore

* original 72cal. Suhl 1822 (Prussian) flintlock conversion (converted in 1822)

* original 54cal. Austrian Lorenz 1857 rifle

* defarbed EuroArms 1853 Enfield 58cal. (lock is LA Co. - 1862 / original front & rear sights / original heavy hammer)

[Matt Woodburn]

I try to use what the scenerio calls for or what event organizers request. I have available and use at various times:

P53 Enfield repro, defarb by Zimmerman, with original bayonet

M42 Springfield repro, partially defarbed at this time with repro bayonet

M63, Type II repro, defarbed with original lock, barrel bands and original bayonet

I used to carry an original M42 for years, but when I heard of a guy who had an original blow up on him and he lost a few fingers, I decided to go with better, new steel for a barrel. Simply put, I need my fingers.

Best Regards,

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo Kameraden!

Not all at the same event, but:

M1855 RM, 1881 Harpers Ferry, custom-built
M1855 Artillery Rifle, Springfield, 1859, custom-built
M1855 Rifle, Harpers Ferry, 1857, early brass mounted and browned barrel version, custom-built
NM 1859 Sharps Rifle, original- refinished to period mint conditions
NM 1859 Sharps Rifle (Berdan Contract), reworked Garrett Arms with mint original Sharps lock and hammer
M1860 Spencer Rifle by Romano
M1861 RM, Springfield, 1862, custom-built
M1861 RM, Richmond, 1861, custom-built
M1862 RM, C.S. Richmond,, 1862, custom-built
M1863 Musketoon, C.S. Richmond, custom-built
Fayetteville Rifle, 1863, custom-built
Cooke & Brother Rifle, 1863, custom-built
P1853, 3rd Model "Enfield," 1862, custom-built

M1861 Springfield, 1862, Armi Sport extensively reworked, with Cross lockplate, hammer, and rear sight, new bands.

M1842 Musket, Springfield, 1846, extensively reworked Armi Sport fitted with mint original lock and hammer.
M1842 Musket, Harpers Ferry, 1845, reworked Armi Sport

Sold off all but 4...

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt

[KentuckyReb]

'42 repro with an original bayonet. I gotta get the thing to either Zimmerman or Lodgewood. Gonna pick up a '53 Enfield when I get the $. I love my '42, but the Enfield feels better to me, not as clumsy to handle for some reason.

[Tim Prince]

Depends on the scenario, side and time period.

-Original 1816 Type III cone in barrel conversion, Pomeroy contract-1834 mfd.
-Original 1842, rifled without long range sight, Springfield 1851.
-Original Model 1854 Lorenz, 1859 mfd.
-Original Colt Special Model 1861, 1862 mfd.
-Repop P-1853 Enfield, started life as a Euroarms, now a mix of repop and original parts and heavily defarbed.
-Repop Armisport 1842, defarbed with a few original parts on it.
-Repop 1816 Flintlock, defarbed.
For officer impressions, either an original French or German import non regulation foot officers sword and an original Smith & Wesson #2 Army in .32 rimfire (1865 production serial number).
I tend to use and carry original gun tools also- they just work the best.
The other original guns just hang on the wall and go up in value.....

Mess of muskets mess.....

[oldsecesh]

Defarbed model 1842 Springfield
Model 1863 Norwich
Repop 1849 Wells Fargo revolver for the officer impression.

Regards,
Jim Mitchum

[NY Pvt]

WoW,

Ok fess up now! How many of you guys took out a second mortgage on your house to build up your firearm collection?

I carry a “defarbed” repro 53’ Enfield rifled- musket. I would like to get down the road an original Lorenz, Belgium, or 1816 conversion. Firearms are like hats. You can only use one at a time. I own a bunch of hats and always seem to wear the same one.

[Pritchett Ball]

Reproduction Euroarms 3-Band Enfield, converted to an 1858 dated 2nd model. (Blued Barrel, Lock Plate/Hammer devoid of case hardening)
Reproduction ArmiSport 1861 Springfield. (Got to get correct stock-barrel markings on it!)

Kevin Dally

[SteelCityZouave]

I use a repro Euroarms 53' Enfield. I want to send it down to Joe Zimmerman sometime very soon to get that thing defarbed (as I get some more money). By the way, does anyone know the amount of time it takes to get the musket defarbed? Thanks in advance!! :)

[Doug Potter]

armi sport 62 tower Enfield defarbed by Company quartermaster bright finish
61 Springfield Euro Arms defarbed by Zimmerman
61 springfield Euro Arms defarbed by Lodgewood

[Ringgold]

Ten-pounder Parrott
2.9 inch bore

and derned hard to shoulder . . . :tounge_sm

[ley74]

1853 Harper's Ferry Zimmerman custom
1857 Harper's Ferry defarbbed by Zimmerman

[Canton Zouave]

A Defarbed Euroarms 1853 ENFIELD.
Defarbed with information from the old site...and my own hands.
It is a work in progress...and well worth the effort in doing.

[sivart]

I carry an 1853 Enfield, defarbed by Zimmerman. Let me tell you guys, it is a thing of beauty. I am almost afraid to go out and shoot it. :cry_smile

Mine is dated 1858 so that I can use in for early war as well as late.

[Tom Ezell]

[QUOTE=NY Pvt]Ok fess up now! How many of you guys took out a second mortgage on your house to build up your firearm collection?
QUOTE]

Nope... buy wisely, and build up the "collection" over time.

The corner closet currently holds:
1) M1861 Colt Contract Special - first musket that I bought when I got into the hobby, and got a really good deal on it. When I found out what they were really selling for, I sort of set it aside, and got #2 to go out and play with. The old Colt comes out now and then as a loaner.

2) P1853 ArmiSport Enfield, mostly defarbed. Still needs the proof marks and various little stamps and an original butt plate, but has given at this time, seven years unfailing service. Used for both CS and Federal impressions, typically post-Vicksburg time frames.

3) M1842 Springfield, .69 cal. smoothbore, defarbed. As an old artilleryman, it's the closest thing to a cannon they'll let me carry ;-) Again, used for both CS and Fed, pre-Vicksburg, or Trans-Mississippi CS.

4) M1816 Harper's Ferry, .69 caliber flintlock, mostly defarbed. used for 1861/1862 CS.

On the Wanted List, a .54 caliber Mississippi rifle. Some good offers out there, but they've all been .58s, and if I have to bale up that much cotton for it, I'm holding out for a .54.

For an ossifer impression, I usually don't pack heat, but for wandering along the picket lines and outposts, I usually keep a M1849 Colt or a '51 Colt Navy, both mostly defarbed, somewhere in my valise.

Tom
Co. A, 6th Arkansas Inf'y

[MountedRifle]

I carry a .54 Caliber Mississippi Rifle. Also have a Colt Navy in a pommel holster. Infantry accutraments. Saddle and tack is pre-war for Mounted Rifles.

Mark White
16th Missouri Mounted Infantry (Jackman's)
Lone Jack Mess

[bonniegreenflag]

I carry a defarbed white struck repro enfield. I know the a bunch of people have them, but I think it has served me very well, live fire and reenacting. I know the repro stocks are a bit off, so Im waiting fo the day that someone will start making them. Iv never even held an origional let alone used it in combat, they seem a bit valuable to me.

Andrew McQuillen

[Southern Cal]

Defarbed 3-band Enfield, defarbed 2-band Enfield, defarbed 1842 'rifled' musket.

Southern Cal, Please sign your full name to your posts. This is your first warning.

Scott McKay, moderator

[FedOfficer]

Stock Euroarms M1861 Springfield, defarbed burnished Enfield, partially defarbed blued Enfield, original M1842 (OK, OK, I no longer use it!), and a Sharps carbine I'm trying to trade for something else infantry! Oh, and I'm putting together a M1841 Mississippi from parts.

Rick Rachal

[FWL]

What kind of musket(s) do you use? Original or repop?

Well, yes and yes. I generally represent a AOP generic soldier. I carry a defarbed Enfield to most reenactments that Lodgewood defarbed ( a most excellent job although I have to have a bit more work to do).

I also have the good fortune to own a 1862 Tower Enfield with the soldiers etchings on the brass (this is my favorite this gun speaks to me!). I also have a Norfolk, CT 1863 Springfield. I could not pass up the deals I got on these guns. I sometimes take my authentics with me to living histories but not to general reenactments. Their educational value to both follow reenactors and to the general public out weigh the risks. When I do take them out they do not leave my side.

Frank Lilley
28th Mass Vols., Co. K

[A Sykes Regular]

I also carry a repro. 1855, with working Maynard (repro lockplate, but original parts and hammer), for pre- and early war impressions. I have a repro `61 Springfield for 1863-65 impressions.

[bluebellybugleboy]

I've only done an infantry immpression twice and both times I used a somewhat defarbed armi-sport springfield m1861 . I plan to buy an springfield m1861 by euroarms and see if I can afford a defarbing job by zimmerman, or maybe have a friend of mine teach me how to do it .I'm spliting my account after I buy a springfield to buy an enfield.

Rob young

[rick atwood]

I started out with a 53 Enfield, then moved to a 61 Springfield, then a 42. Now I'm back to an Enfield again. Can't seem to get away from it. I will add to the chorus of those admiring Curt's collection.

[Gallinipper]

I started out with a 53 Enfield, then moved to a 61 Springfield, then a 42. Now I'm back to an Enfield again. Can't seem to get away from it. I will add to the chorus of those admiring Curt's collection.

Rick that's exactly the same path I took. I started out with a good ol' blued Euroarms Enfield (1989) which I had traded a Colt-manufactured .44 Army pistol for..... Traded that for an Armi-Sport '61 Springfield, instead of doing all the required defarb work..... Then decided I just HAD to have one of the new '42 repops, so sold that and managed to get one of the first ones from Old Sutler John (I miss him)..... Kept that sucker but traded other articles for another Euro Enfield, which is in the process of being defarbed with the help of Geoff's articles, Curt's forum posts, and the kind assistance of Becky at Lodgewood(!)
Rich Croxton