Childhood dream: original M1861 Springfield rifled musket

[majspud]

I've wanted one of these since I was in middle school, 30-odd years ago. Seeing my friend's in TN on our recent road trip got me looking again for a decently priced example.

Picked this up on Gunbroker and then picked it up on the way home in Ohio. Cost between a reproduction Armi-Sport and Pedersoli M61. Why buy repro when you can buy original for the same money? Markings on the breech (1861) and (V/P/Eagle) are faint and visible only in just the right light. Middle band is original, but the rounded, smaller M63 variety. I've a line on trading up to the right M61 flat style one. The nipple is a replacement and the rear sight is held on by a modern hex-top screw. I bought an original for it, but the screw hold had been re-sleeved and the threads aren't wide enough. Need to work on the right side rust a little. This was carried by a re-enactor for several years. Plenty of rifling.

Of course I'm going to shoot it.

T

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Well done my brother...I too have always wanted one but shall likely not get one. Here in Canada, you seldom see them.

[majspud]

Antiques can't ship to Canada?

T

[browningautorifle]

It would likely cost about double by the time I got it here.

[WarPig1976]

Of course I'm going to shoot it.

[majspud]

The rust came right off with Kroil and a ScotchBrite pad. I also repaired the nose cap; the retaining hole in the wood had lost its top end leaving a long groove for the screw and nose to slide off. I bent a soft piece of metal with a screw hole into a "U" and reamed the wood hole into an oval to allow the "U" to fit and screw tight and securely into the nose cap.

T

[gsimmons]

Nice musket and a rare date!

[Paul S.]

the bore looks great!

[Patt1903]

Nice rifle to enjoy!

[majspud]

Aborted range report. Used 60gr. 3X powder and 460gr. Cabella's Minie balls. Rifle functioned flawlessly, except for missing the target! Missed three times from 100 yards, seated. Walked down the range to 50 yards, shot from the shoulder and hit at 9:00 outside. Went back to 100, benched, and missed three more times. Then the heavens opened up with heavy rain. Will try again; I think I'll need a spotter next time out, as I couldn't see where the misses were going.

T