Petersburg Dead

[Andrew Kasmar]

Hi,

I was looking through some photos of the dead Confederates at Petersburg, and I noticed that the Enfield, in the back ground, has barrel band springs (not sure if that is the right term).Does anyone know what type of rifle musket this is? Thanks for any help.

[woodsda]

Re: Petersburg Dead

It looks like a damaged 1853 Enfield. Looks as if the end of the barrel is bent. I can't zoom in to the picture, but thats what I see.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Petersburg Dead

Hi,

It looks like a damaged 1853 Enfield. Looks as if the end of the barrel is bent. I can't zoom in to the picture, but thats what I see.
__________________
Don Woods
Co D, 27th North Carolina
Member CWPT

Yes, the end of the barrel does look like it is damaged.

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: Petersburg Dead

There are a few very good threads discussing this and similar images of the abandoned Petersburg works.

[roundshot]

Re: Petersburg Dead

It's a Brazilian Light Minie.

[Jimmayo]

Re: Petersburg Dead

It's a Brazilian Light Minie.

With a CS canvas sling.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Petersburg Dead

Hallo!



Curt

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Petersburg Dead

Hi,

Thanks for enlarging the image Mr. Schmidt.

[Dusty Merritt]

Re: Petersburg Dead

If that is indeed the rare Brazilian Light Minie, might its presence shed some light on the identity of one of the units that fought in this area?

Of course, it could be a photographer's prop, but the fact that it's both clearly damaged and doesn't appear in any of the other Roche views makes it seem likely to me that it could have been dropped there or somewhere nearby.

[Jimmayo]

Re: Petersburg Dead

I think folks would be surprised at the variety of arms used by the Confederate army around Petersburg. It is a forgone conclusiion that the majority of arms used were the P-53 Enfield and the 61 or 63 Springfields. But, I have found parts from bar on band enfields (see pic), Austrian Lorenz, M-1841, M-55 Springfield lock with a tape primer, the sight off of the light minie rifle and even a brass barrel band from an Ashville rifle. All were found in CS positions. (If anyone knows someone with an Ashville rifle that needs a middle band I am your man.) Some of the same goes for ammunition. Two rounds that Iwas surprised to find in CS trenches were Colt Revolving rifle bullets and .54 baby austrians. Surprisingly I have only found one .69 cal. minie and that was at Pamplin Park (before it was park). What arm may be considered rare now, may not have been so rare back then. Also the Confederate Army did allow troops with two band rifles to be in ranks.

[Todd Watts]

Re: Petersburg Dead

Jim, have you ever come across a lead conical "Minie'" style bullet with 2 holes bored across from eachother on either side of the nose going straight back into the bullet but not all the way through it? It is about .56" and has 2 bands. A buddy that has land in the Murfreesboro, TN area found it and said he'd found some others like it in the same spot. I got a look at it but don't have a picture to post so all I can do is describe it at this time. We thought about cross-cutting it to see what the holes might connect to, (perhaps a hollow powder chamber?) but that would destroy the bullet.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: Petersburg Dead

Jim, have you ever come across a lead conical "Minie'" style bullet with 2 holes bored across from eachother on either side of the nose going straight back into the bullet but not all the way through it? It is about .56" and has 2 bands. A buddy that has land in the Murfreesboro, TN area found it and said he'd found some others like it in the same spot. I got a look at it but don't have a picture to post so all I can do is describe it at this time. We thought about cross-cutting it to see what the holes might connect to, (perhaps a hollow powder chamber?) but that would destroy the bullet.

Todd,

Perhaps you could provide some sort of sketch to help us visualize what your describing?

If you can provide pictures...this might be something interesting to post on the Company of Military Historians website...or have printed in the Journal?

Thanks,

Paul B.

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: Petersburg Dead

[Jimmayo]

Re: Petersburg Dead

Jim, have you ever come across a lead conical "Minie'" style bullet with 2 holes bored across from eachother on either side of the nose going straight back into the bullet but not all the way through it? It is about .56" and has 2 bands. A buddy that has land in the Murfreesboro, TN area found it and said he'd found some others like it in the same spot. I got a look at it but don't have a picture to post so all I can do is describe it at this time. We thought about cross-cutting it to see what the holes might connect to, (perhaps a hollow powder chamber?) but that would destroy the bullet.

Todd: I can't say I have ever seen one like that. They are not wormer holes are they?

If you can get a picture try posting it on the forum below. I have had good luck getting oddball things ID there. The latest thing that had me stumped is on the Artillery part of the forum under "ID needed". Ever hear of a Peavy shell?

http://cwpforums.com/forum/index.php

[Jimmayo]

Re: Petersburg Dead

I know this is a Petersburg thread but since it is somewhat related to seldom seen guns I thought I would give this a try.

Does anyone have any info on P-58 bar on band Enfields as to regimental use or soldier ID?

There doesn't seem to be much information on the use of this arm and I thought I would try to start a data base on their use. Ever since I found the barrel band shown earlier in this thread I have been looking for one and finally succeded at the Richmond Show. Since Bryan has already broken the ice I will post a picture of a P-58. Take a look at the front band and you can see where it gets it's name. All the hardware is iron. Now how do you get those big pictures?