Model 1855 Musket Tool

[Cumpston1862]

Gents-

I have been browsing the search engine and have not found the answer to my question(s).

So here goes. I have a defarbed Armi-Sport 1861 Springfield Musket and I need a decent musket tool to service the old girl in the field. I purchased an original 1863 musket tool but the open ended wrench is too narrow for my nipple cone. Not by much but just enough to make it non-usable unless I modify it...which I am hesitant to do being that it is an original. Even if I were to file it out a bit the two screw drivers are too big to fit most of the repro slot screws. I purchased a repro musket wrench from a sutler and it fit all the screws and so on but it also bent with minimal effort.

So here is my question. Who makes a decent historically accurate and functional 1855 musket tool that won't bend if you look at it the wrong way???

Thanks.

[Scott Sheets]

Re: Model 1855 Musket Tool

Nick S***la in New Jersey is your best bet. His 1855 musket tool is made to actually be a tool.

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Model 1855 Musket Tool

Scott-

Thank you very much for the reply.

I ordered one from him and he returned my money the same day saying he didn't have any in stock. :(

[mike44thva]

Re: Model 1855 Musket Tool

I would say get an original M1855 tool, the extra screwdriver blade is smaller and works well. I have one of the NJ Nick tools and had to take a file to the inside of the wrench and one of the blades to make it thinner, but it wasn't much, a 1/32" at the most on both places. I also have an original close ended musket tool for my M1842 and had to file down one of the blades a tad.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Model 1855 Musket Tool

Hallo!

Most times, an original combination has to be modified to fit the unusually narrow screw slots the Italians use. (I have ground a set of modern screwdrivers down just for Italian guns.)

IMHO, rather than damage an original tool, use a hacksaw or flat jeweler's file to widen the Italian screw slots to the width they should be.

Curt

[Pumpkinslinger]

Re: Model 1855 Musket Tool

I shaved down a fairly cheap 1855 musket tool and rehardened the tips so they now work with most screws. Never had a problem with the cones not fitting. Simple process.

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Model 1855 Musket Tool

Gents-

Thanks for all the recommendations and information. Seems to be many solutions to the problem just a matter of which one match my skills.

Thanks!

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Model 1855 Musket Tool

Have you thought about widening the screws slots? I think Frank's idea of just hardening a repro would be the best bet. Plus if you loose a repro who cares?