Springfield or Enfield

[Medic14]

I'm wondering. Do you prefer Springfield or Enfield?

Josh Coughenour
Muddy Creek Mess

Josh, this is NOT a topic for this forum - Mike Chapman


Hallo Master Coughenour: Please refer back to the private
e-mail I sent you regarding postings. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. CHS, Moderator

[ephraim_zook]

Re: Springfield or Enfield

From a purely functional standpoint, it's been my experience that my '61 Springfield is far more prone to misfires than an Enfield.

Ron Myzie

I'm wondering. Do you prefer Springfield or Enfield?

Josh Coughenour
Muddy Creek Mess

[TeamsterPhil]

Re: Springfield or Enfield

If the question was more specific it would be easier to answer. The answer might be different for different criteria: functionality, ease of carrying on long marches, accuracy of the reproduction, accuracy in live firing, ease of maintaining cleanliness. etc, etc.

Phil Campbell
"have wagon, will travel"

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Springfield or Enfield

From a purely functional standpoint, it's been my experience that my '61 Springfield is far more prone to misfires than an Enfield.

Ron Myzie

I found the opposite to be true.

This should be in the sinks.

[Will Rumsey]

Re: Springfield or Enfield

Enfield by far.Just my opinion and based on seeing trouble others have had with Springfields.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Springfield or Enfield

Hallo Kameraden!

This would have been a more valid AC Forum question had it been posed along the lines of:

"Did Civil War soldiers have a preference for the "Springfield" or the "Enfield" rifle-musket?

And replies better along the lines of a sharing by David Fournier, taken from the unit history of the 1st-10th-29th Maine, found on Geoff Walden's website, for the 1st Maine:

“Oct. 21, 1861, muskets were delivered to the men and this furnished another excuse for a hearty growl from the 1st Mainers. ‘Had we not been
promised a new blue uniform and Springfield muskets?’ To be sure we had the blue uniform and a good outfit in every way, ‘but look at these
Enfield muskets.’ said they, ‘with their blued barrels and wood that no man can name!’ They were not a bad weapon, however, differing little from the Springfield, in actual efficiency, weight, length, and caliber, but far behind in point of workmanship...”

As posted, the question is not proper for this Forum for a variety of reasons, mostly since the question was posed as "you" having a preference, which reflects modern reenacting practice and thinking- where anyone can run out and buy any weapon they want- whether it is historically correct or researched and documented to the unit one portrays or not.
Or, that CW soliders were generally "issued" weapons and usually did not obtain them as a matter of choice or selection.

At any rate, as posed, this is a very basic, beginner, so-called Farb or Mainstream "reenacting" question, better posed and answered on OTHER fora-and NOT a Authentic Campaigner/Authentic Civil War Living Historian based one suited for the AC Forum.

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt
Moderator