Boxes for Enfield

[Charles W. Mood]

Re: Boxes for Enfield

The book "The Blockade Runner Modern Greece and Her Cargo" by Leslie S. Bright and published by the Archaeololgy Section, Division of Archives and History, North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, Raliegh, North Carolina, June 1977, has a diagram and markings of the cases used on that vessal to ship enfield muskets. (I bought my copy from the Fort Fisher State Historical Site in North Carolina). The case held 24 muskets (8 muskets across (alternating directions) and 3 levels high. They were held in place by cross boards with hole cut that would align just behind the trigger guard. It also contained leather shoulder straps (musket slings) that were packed in one end of the box. The case was marked:
S M
G (with the G inside a small diamond)

Unfortunately, no dimensions are given for the case, but the letters marking the case are 3 inches tall.

The two cross braces that hold the muskets in place are each made out of four pieces of wood with holes cut out, like below.

______________________
I I
I--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--I
I I
I--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--I
I I
I--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--I
I______________________I

V/R
Charles Mood

[Charles Kaiser]

Re: Boxes for Enfield

Hallo Kameraden,
are there pics of Musketboxes known ? Stencils ?

[Blair]

Re: Boxes for Enfield

Charles K.,

Yes.
The book described above is, I believe, still in print.
It was published, and sold to the public for the purpose of helping to raise money to help in preservation/conservation of the various artifacts recovered from the wreck site back in 1977. Although my copy is in much need of revising due to new infomation/findings. I bought my copy in 1978 or 9. They may very well have made revisions since that time.

There were reported some 7,000 English P-1853 rifle Muskets and P-1858 Rifles of Enfield type arms aboard the Modern Greece, at the time she ran aground, most of the War materials were recovered at the time.
The US Army Corp of Engineers recovered some 260 parts and pieces. Enough to account for 10 crates of Enfield type firearms at 24 weapons per crate with a few extras.
Two partially complete crates were also recovered during this time as well. As has been eluded too.

Should you not be able to find a copy of this book, please e-mail me. I can make copies of this report pertaining to the firearms from my copy.
I can say this, it will not, however, help in the ongoing preservation efforts of this very historical find. I would, prefer you to please try to go through the official souses first, for this reason!

[Vuhginyuh]

You can view the Modern Greece report here;

http://www.archaeology.ncdcr.gov/ncarch/UAB/pdf%20Files/Modern%20Greece%20Report.pdf

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: Boxes for Enfield

You can view the Modern Greece report here;

http://www.archaeology.ncdcr.gov/ncarch/UAB/pdf%20Files/Modern%20Greece%20Report.pdf

Printing a personal copy for reference is allowed.