1853 Pattern Enfield (Repro)

Ranchero50 · Dec 31, 2018

Been reading too many civil war books and came across this guy at a local pawn shop today. Saw it a month ago and it talked to me so...

First BP, looking for basic tips and advice as well as trying to figure out who's repro it is. My understanding is this particular rifle was used in films and some reenactments. .58" three groove rifling that looks good, otherwise looks well used.

budman93 · Jan 1, 2019

Nice! That's something I would like to have someday. What did you get it for?

John from MD · Jan 1, 2019

It is a Enfield Pattern 53 three band musket. My guess is that it is Italian imported by Euroarms.

With all the surface corrosion, I would clean out the bore real good and check for pitting. Next, you need to do is clean all the grease out of the lock and replace the nipple. You will have to buy several types of Minie ball to see which one it likes. You can get them from Dixie Gun Works or Track of the Wolf. 60 grains of 2F black powder is a good working load for the Enfield.

Enjoy.

Ranchero50 · Jan 1, 2019

budman93 said:
Nice! That's something I would like to have someday. What did you get it for?

$400 out the door from the asking $499+tax. We actually looked online to try and price / date it fairly. That it looks old is what "valued" it for me.

John from MD said:
It is a Enfield Pattern 53 three band musket. My guess is that it is Italian imported by Euroarms.

With all the surface corrosion, I would clean out the bore real good and check for pitting. Next, you need to do is clean all the grease out of the lock and replace the nipple. You will have to buy several types of Minie ball to see which one it likes. You can get them from Dixie Gun Works or Track of the Wolf. 60 grains of 2F black powder is a good working load for the Enfield.

Enjoy.

Thanks, it's one of those things. I grew up on Antietam so this is close enough to having an original. End goal is a safe shooter that looks like an 150 year old original from 3' without adding the stock cartouches and other deceptive markings. I'd prefer it to look worn but not worn out. Plan is de rust, lightly rust blue it back to worn and BLO the stock. I also need to fix the dinged up screw heads and remove a broken one on the trigger guard. The nipple looks good and I found one snap cap in the pouch that fits well.
The ramrod is somewhat bent on the rammer end and the threaded end is mushroomed a bit so even it needs a little love. Then pick up the accoutrements to shoot it like a 1864 soldier would. The bayonet is a cheaper Indian knockoff but again I plan on having fun and make it look originalish.

Been googling the snot out of it overnight and am having fun learning about the originals and what's needed to make this one work like one.

Stuff and info:
http://www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catalog.htm

https://www.authentic-campaigner.com/articles/walden/enfauth.htm

https://redirect.viglink.com/?forma...esn-KVpa7QJBF5oyhEqnT9t5zJwKFUHr6_FopBrwlKo-g

Probably run down to Winchester Friday and see about getting some consumables. It smells like BP already.

Biggfoot44 · Jan 1, 2019

No, no That isn't surface corrosion , that's Relicing .

Melnic · Jan 1, 2019

My favorite method of checking the bore is to take a arrow lighted noch and drop it down with the light pointed up. You will discover the condition of the bore. Do that before you buy shooting supplies.

If you have not read it already don’t use the guns ramrod to load

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

John from MD · Jan 1, 2019

Melnic said:
If you have not read it already don’t use the guns ramrod to load

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Spend the money and buy a Kleebore brass rod. They are softer than the barrel steel and plenty stout for loading Minie balls and cleaning.

Many molds have thicker skirts than the original Minie's and they won't obdurate well with standard powder loads. You may have to search some Blue and Grey forums for who sells good Minie's or what mold works best.

Art3 · Jan 1, 2019

That nipple looks like it has been "dry fired" a lot, which should never be done to a percussion firearm. I bet it may have done a tour of duty as a kickass toy. Nipples should be pointy, not a mushroom head. That's going to make it tricky to get a cap on, and, unless you use the segmented top hat type, potentially very hard to get a spent cap off. You could maybe reshape it with a file, but replacement should be cheap. Figure out your thread size, and Dixie Gunworks has them for $5. They probably have the replacement screw you need, too.https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index/page/product/product_id/4050

After cleaning out the gunk, you might just give it a thorough rub down with Ballistol to loosen the surface rust and see what it looks like before you consider rebluing. Repro or not, it's probably earned its patina.

What's the bore look like? That may determine whether it's a shooter or wallhanger.

Good find :fingerscrossed:

, and I can't wait to see pics after a little TLC.

Blacksmith101 · Jan 1, 2019

Track of The Wolf probably has a correct nipple:
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/64/1?PageSize=75

j8064 · Jan 1, 2019

You have a nice pick up for the price, Ranchero50. I have no doubt you can and will get it shooting. :thumbsup:

I can't give you any input on its origin other than it's likely an Italian made replica as has been said.

Obviously you will need to clean the rifle thoroughly and replace the nipple. Like Blacksmith101 said, TOW will likely have the correct thread replacement. Call them and tell them what you have - they are very helpful! Nipples are not expensive. It should be a 1/4" musket cap nipple so you'll also need the correct size nipple wrench.

As for musket caps, you'll need ones that work, CCI are "re-enactor caps" and are crap these days. You need to get RWS or Schuetzen musket caps. If you're headed to Winchester, VA there are several places to get correct caps.

As was also said, 60 grains of FFg is the correct "military load". The grind of black powder in the 1860's was different than today so you may find FFFg will work better. Either way, stick to Goex, KIK or other real BP - not substitute stuff.

The Lee .575 Minie Ball mold works well. https://leeprecision.com/mold-575-500-m.html. You can get the mold for about $25 at Midway, Grafs, etc. The key is to cast Minies with soft pure lead. I lube mine with a mixture of beeswax and Crisco. You can also shoot 58 cal patched balls with the same BP load, so you have options.

For a loading rod, get a 7/16" Delrin rod and a brass muzzle guide. And you'll need rod attachments. For loading and patching, a 58 cal brass jag tip will work fine. You'll also need a ball puller, bore brush, breech scraper, patch remover, bore mop etc. tips for your rod. Trust me - you'll use them all!

Please post more and update us on your progress! :thumbsup:

Even better - since you're in Hagerstown - why not plan a trip to a Hooligan shoot? We shoot a lot of BP and would love to see your Enfield in person!

:thumbsup:

Ranchero50 · Jan 1, 2019

Thanks for the comments folks. I'll definitely keep this thread updated as I move forward with it. Lots of stuff to absorb, almost too much right now but looking forward to it.

J8064, your Kentucky builds are what prompted me to get this, thanks for posting the pics and events. I'll get up there some day.

John from MD · Jan 1, 2019

Hey OP, I just noticed you are from Hagerstown. A half hour up route 81 in PA is Fort Chambers. They only deal in Black Powder firearms. I know they have RWS musket caps as I just bought 200 from them. Here is the link, they are at 81 and 997. http://www.fortchambers.com/httpdocs/

Threeband · Jan 1, 2019

If you're going to Winchester for supplies, it sounds like you already know about Back Creek Gun Shop, which is where the Skirmishers buy their powder and caps.

If not, google them. Call first, sales by appointment except after a skirmish.

Reenactors often "defarb" their guns: remove the "made in Italy" stamps and otherwise inauthentically "age" them. (Hint : real Civil War soldiers didn't use guns that looked like antiques.)

j8064 · Jan 1, 2019

Threeband said:
If you're going to Winchester for supplies, it sounds like you already know about Back Creek Gun Shop, which is where the Skirmishers buy their powder and caps.

If not, google them. Call first, sales by appointment except after a skirmish.

Reenactors often "defarb" their guns: remove the "made in Italy" stamps and otherwise inauthentically "age" them. (Hint : real Civil War soldiers didn't use guns that looked like antiques.)

This ^^^

Back Creek Gun Shop is the place to go. Definitely call first! They will have the right caps and powder. It's a road trip you won't forget. :thumbsup:

Threeband helped me with a lot of good advice when I got started shooting my 1861 Springfield. I still owe him a ton of thanks! :bowdown:

Threeband · Jan 1, 2019

Powder first, THEN ball.

Art3 · Jan 1, 2019

Threeband said:
Powder first, THEN ball.

...and don't thumb your balls

Threeband · Jan 1, 2019

Art3 said:
...and don't thumb your balls

Words of wisdom.

Ranchero50 · Jan 2, 2019

John from MD said:
Hey OP, I just noticed you are from Hagerstown. A half hour up route 81 in PA is Fort Chambers. They only deal in Black Powder firearms. I know they have RWS musket caps as I just bought 200 from them. Here is the link, they are at 81 and 997. http://www.fortchambers.com/httpdocs/

Yep, they are on the list and closer versus Winchester.

Threeband said:
If you're going to Winchester for supplies, it sounds like you already know about Back Creek Gun Shop, which is where the Skirmishers buy their powder and caps.

If not, google them. Call first, sales by appointment except after a skirmish.

Reenactors often "defarb" their guns: remove the "made in Italy" stamps and otherwise inauthentically "age" them. (Hint : real Civil War soldiers didn't use guns that looked like antiques.)

Yes, I want the rifle to look used / antique, not reenactment new. I read that some Union troops at one point during 1862ish peninsular campaign needed their rifles replaced because they had sanded down through the barrel metal making them unsafe while trying to keep the shiny. Still gathering info...

Rambler · Jan 2, 2019

Threeband said:
If you're going to Winchester for supplies, it sounds like you already know about Back Creek Gun Shop, which is where the Skirmishers buy their powder and caps.

If not, google them. Call first, sales by appointment except after a skirmish.

Reenactors often "defarb" their guns: remove the "made in Italy" stamps and otherwise inauthentically "age" them. (Hint : real Civil War soldiers didn't use guns that looked like antiques.)

The original manufacturer info, serial number, and sometimes the "defarbers" info are sometimes placed on the underside of the barrel where it will be hidden by the stock.

I had mine done many years ago by Jogn G. Zimmerman at Harpers Ferry:

http://harpersferrycivilwarguns.com/

http://harpersferrycivilwarguns.com/

Threeband · Jan 2, 2019

Yup. I was wondering if it says "Made in Italy" below the woodline.

Some idiot colonels had their men polish the bluing off their Enfields. I don't think anyone removed so much steel as to make the musket unsafe: that's a silly suggestion if you think about it. Polishing Springfields was standard, in fact required. It didn't damage them, just made the regiment more visible to the enemy.

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