1853 Enfield original or replica?

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

  • No ad networks!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • PGTMG

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 13, 2010
    1,025
    Hello,

    I am looking for member's experiences with original and replica 1853 Enfield rifles? I am looking for one as a shooter. Please let me know what you have and your thoughts? I was going to go to the antique show back in March but well Covid-19.

    Also, possible suggestions to acquire one

    Thx
     
    Last edited:

    Allen65

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jun 29, 2013
    7,063
    Anne Arundel County
    Hello,

    I am looking for member's experiences with original and replica 1853 Enfield rifles? I am looking for one as a shooter. Please let me know what you have and your thoughts? I was going to go to the antique show back in March but well Covid-19.

    Also, possible suggestions to acquire one

    Thx

    I have two originals picked up 20 years ago and one Parker-Hale "Musketoon" (actually an Artillery Carbine copy) repro purchased recently off Gunbroker.

    Both originals are 2nd Pattern, the type that used solid barrel bands and were made between 1856 and 1859, serving the Brits in Crimea and elsewhere. One wears a Dan Whitacre repro barrel for shooting, with the original used for display. The other still sports the original barrel, with a Bob Hoyt liner that makes it shoot like new.

    Civil War Enfields would be 3rd Pattern 3-band types types, with screw-tightened split barrel bands, or 2-banders that were Pattern 1856 Army Pattern Short Rifles bought by both sides in England.

    One of the best sources for data on P1853s is here:
    https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/britishmilitariaforums/british-flint-and-percussion-arms-f4/
    And this is an excellent history of the P1853:
    https://www.amazon.com/Destroying-Angel-Rifle-Musket-Modern-Infantry/dp/171985727X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+destroying+angel&qid=1593129516&s=books&sr=1-1

    You can obtain original Pritchett-style paper cartridges from here:
    https://www.papercartridges.com/
    English Redcoats, colonial forces like Indian Sepoys, and Confederates used Pritchett cartridges that were very accurate, and under bore size so they can still be easily loaded even in fouled barrels. Union forces used Burton bullets, which can be as accurate, and are a lot cheaper to manufacture than Pritchetts. But they're bore size, so loading gets more difficult as black powder fouls the barrel over multiple shots. Getting bullets 0.001" less than bore size is critical for accuracy with Burtons. With paper-patched Pritchetts, bore diameter isn't critical.

    69 grains of Goex FFg in these pretty much duplicates the service load. You can buy real black powder here:
    https://www.clydesfishinggear.com/

    CCI Re-enactor Musket Caps don't work reliably for shooting, especially if you use BP substitutes. These do work really well for me:
    https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/28966

    If you do buy a repro, make sure it's one with a progressive rifled barrel like the originals had. It makes a significant difference in accuracy vs straight bores, especially with Pritchett bullets. You could buy a used repro with a shot-out or rusted barrel for cheap and easily replace the original barrel with one from Whitacre with progressive rifling. His web site is here:
    http://www.whitacresmachineshop.com/

    The Parker-Hale is fun to shoot, but I'm still working up loads for it to get anywhere near as accurate as either of the full-length muskets.

    Parts interchangeability for originals is a problem. They were made with the "Sealed Pattern" manufacturing system, so there were variations between component manufacturers that led to tolerance stackup issues. Replacement parts, even originals, will usually require some hand fitting with jeweler's files to fit and work properly. Most 160 year old muzzle loaders will either be missing parts, or have worn or corroded parts needing replacement if you want to shoot them. Repros don't have this problem.

    Did I miss anything?
     
    Last edited:

    Ranchero50

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 15, 2012
    5,411
    Hagerstown MD
    I have a repop one of ugknown vintage that I defarbed from reenactor condition. Truly a blast to shoot. minute of pie plate at 40 paces thanks to shitty sights and bad eyes but the smoke. :)



    Forst Chambers has two 2 band repops as of Friday afternoon. One was $350 and the other much nicer one @$850. The cheaper one had a blond stock that felt too thin. Both handled better than the tall girl.

    I so want a Springfield shooter...
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Latest posts

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    274,915
    Messages
    7,258,449
    Members
    33,348
    Latest member
    Eric_Hehl

    Latest threads

    Top Bottom