Thoughts on the Miroku 1861 Springfield???

[billywebb]

I've seen a number of posts dedicated to the Euroarms versus the Armisport, but what about the Miroku?

Specifically:

Is it an "authentic" reproduction of the 1861 Springfield?
Is it more "correct" than the Euroarms or Armisport?
Will original parts interchange with it?
Is it easy to defarb?

Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.

[billywebb]

Re: Thoughts on the Miroku 1861 Springfield???

Any of you reenactors/campaigners carry one of these reproductions?

[Johan Steele]

Re: Thoughts on the Miroku 1861 Springfield???

I have handeled only one and was quite impressed w/ it, it had already been defarbed and was quite nice. IIRC it was in the hands of a man from the 2nd MN. All things considered from the praise I've heard it would appear to be of superior workmanship than either the ArmiSport or EuroArms. If I was to get a Springfield I'd probably search one of these out just because I've yet to hear bad of these.

[marlin teat]

Re: Thoughts on the Miroku 1861 Springfield???

I've been carrying one for years and am very pleased with it. Mine is one of the old "pre-lawyer" barrel types and is significantly lighter than modern repros. It has been through so many stages of de-farbing through the years that it would be very hard for me to comment on the original authenticity.

I have been told by weapon inspectors at Chickamauga (not Lee or Jim) that I couldn't use it for firing demos because originals weren't allowed to be fired. I had to show them some markings under the barrel to prove it was a repop.

[billywebb]

Re: Thoughts on the Miroku 1861 Springfield???

Will an original lock fit on the Miroku?

[Company Tailor]

Re: Thoughts on the Miroku 1861 Springfield???

No. At least not on mine. Maybe that was rectified?

One weak point on them was the ramrod. Very weak. Mine was very pliable and bent up like a corkscrew. Easily fixed with a visit to Lodgewood though.

Best,

[marlin teat]

Re: Thoughts on the Miroku 1861 Springfield???

I really should have mentioned the rammer. The rammer that came with mine was a two-piece that broke the first season that I used it. I replaced it with an original that I bought at a relic show and occasionally use a dug rammer (call me sentimental) that I found at Snake Creek Gap many years ago.

[billywebb]

Re: Thoughts on the Miroku 1861 Springfield???

Will an original 1861 Springfield hammer fit on the Miroku lock? Or any original parts for that matter?

[crabby]

Re: Thoughts on the Miroku 1861 Springfield???

I love mine. You are right, I too had to replace my rammer (too brittle).

Crabby

[straggler]

Re: Thoughts on the Miroku 1861 Springfield???

Comrads,

Since the Miroku is a kit, I would like to ask what would be a good
walnut (?) stain for the stock?

Now on to another issue. Prior to the crash of '03 there had been
several threads regarding defarbing of weapons, quality of brand x vs.
brand y, etc.
I believe it was Herr Schmidt who posted a list of short commings of the
Armi Sport Springfield. Among them being such items as:

A barrel that is heavier, thicker, and of a different taper.
A barrel that lacks the "V P Eaglehead" stampings for "viewed, proofed,
and accepted into Government service
A cone bolster that is squarish rather than gently rounded
Band springs with squared instead of rounded ends, and the stock
mortising that are shallow and square ended.

Question - Was there ever a FAQ built to cover these topic? Having an
entry under the FAQs may not prevent questions from being posted but
it will provide a place to direct such questions, once asked.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: Thoughts on the Miroku 1861 Springfield???

OK...where can I find one...?

You may just try a linseed oil finish...

Paul B. Boulden Jr.

RAH VA MIL '04

[straggler]

Re: Thoughts on the Miroku 1861 Springfield???

Paul,

Dixie Gun Works still had some a few weeks ago. It was catalogue
number PK0431 for $550.00 plus shipping.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Thoughts on the Miroku 1861 Springfield???

Hallo Kameraden!

Don't forget the hammer is "slab-sided" and the hammer nose too short...
;-)

One of the problems with evaluating these reproduction arms is that the various Italian and Japanese makers have changed and modified their products over the years since they were first introduced.
Meaning, a Euroarms "Enfield" from the early '80's, late '80's, early '90's, etc., is not the same as one would be picking up today. So, it can be hard to
give universal or blanket analysis and advice.

Yes, I greatly regret not backing those ARCHIVES and FAQ's answers on my own PC, as a wealth of shared and posted knowledge and resources are now lying in cyber-limbo.

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt

[billywebb]

Re: Thoughts on the Miroku 1861 Springfield???

UPS delivered my used Miroku '61 Springfield today. Bought it off the N-SSA Board. Overall, it looks very nice and is fairly close to the fit and feel of my original. A few things surprised me a bit:

• My original 1862 dated Springfield lock fit the gun just fine! Hammer lined up properly over the nipple, no wood to metal gaps. I was surprised at this given a previous post to this thread.
  
• The Miroku lock half-cocks much farther back than the original lock. Is there a way to correct this? (Or am I being too fussy.)
  
• The lower barrel band is very loose and wobbly. Is there a way to tighten this up?

Any thoughts or opinions are appreciated.

[marlin teat]

Re: Thoughts on the Miroku 1861 Springfield???

My bottom band used to loosen up fairly frequently. I think the cause was storing it inside with low humidity which caused the wood to dry out and shrink. (Even though I kept the stock liberally oiled.) I solved the problem with a little "Chair Lock" that I found at the local Ace Hardware. This isn't a glue but makes the wood swell just enough to enable the band to hold.