What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

[hireddutchcutthroat]

What kind of musket(s) do you use? Original or repop?

[Foggy Bottom Jim]

Re: What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

I carry a repro. 1855, with working Maynard, for early war impressions (up to 1862) and a repro. 1861 Springfield for the rest of the war.

[Jimmayo]

Re: What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

Depends. I carried a 1863 Norwich for years until repros became available. Now I only use the originals for living histories. For the 125th Manassas most of my unit had original M1842s. Original 42s only cost between 250 and 300 dollars then when repro enfields were 195. Today I use my Lorenz, my old reliable Norwich or repros.

My repros are a Mississippi and 42 for early war, 61 springfield for everything else.

And by the way, the originals feel better and shoot better (1st time every time) than do any of the repros.

[CaptainUCSB]

Re: What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

I only use repro muskets that have been "Defarbed." Original muskets stay on the wall.

I would feel terrible if I were to damage an original, and I dont think that it is authentic to be carrying a musket that looks 140 years old. If you can get repro to look as authentic as possible, it will look more authentic for the time period than an original.

[Company Tailor]

Re: What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

I second that. Using originals, in my mind, constitutes "consumptive use of artifacts" (even though I've been guilty of it many times). Sure, they're lighter and they feel better but they aren't making originals any more.

I use a defarbed '55.

[Jimmayo]

Re: What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

Why does everyone think that an original has to look 140 years old?

The ones I use look better and are kept better than some of the repros that take the field. As for using them, it's unlikely that much can happen at living histories and they do spark up lots of interest. You want to get a spectators attention tell them your weapon was actually used by a CW soldier. It puts a real link to the past in their hand.

Thats a little different than taking them out for the weekend in the weather and playing shootemup. I can't justify that any more. Back in the 70s and 80s parts for originals were cheap and available. You could even buy stocks for about 75.00. No so anymore.

After use they get a new cleaning, stock oiled and back on the wall they go. Have seen folks who never let their originals see the light of day and the stocks get dry and the bores rusted.

Oh by the way, I keep my repros in the flower bed along with my buttons so they will look old.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

I have/carry 1862 Springfield (built from parts) 1838 Springfield, and am putting together an Lorenz and a Potsdam from parts. All mine are original.

Im thinking about getting a repro Enfield soon.

[Pip63]

Re: What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

Both. There are 10 guys in my unit each with his own personal musket. We also have several original '53 Enfields that a couple of us switch in and out on, just depends on what we feel like using. If we go to an event where there will be a long march we will take the original because they are not as heavy as the repos. I have a '53 Enfield, defarbed, with the barrel and lock polished in the white.

Phillip Lasseter
32nd Miss Infantry

[tmr1]

Re: What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

What kind of musket(s) do you use? Original or repop?

I use a custom made musket that combines original parts with correct authentic reproduction parts. My M1861 Springfield features an original 1862 stamped lockplate with all original internal parts, Hammer, trigger, trigger bow, buttplate and top barrel band, All original parts are in very,very nice shape. The two other barrel bands are fine repros from Nick Brevoort, the stock is from Dunlap stocks, and the barrel is from Robt. Whitaker.
It is a great '61 and shoots well and has served me well since 1989.
Ted Rupel

[58 lorenz]

Re: What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

I think that,for me, there is just more of a "connection" when I am carrying my original '61-something tangible that was there then. It has a few repop parts on it,like the rammer,and the barrel is dated '63 while the lock is dated '61. most people that see it do not realize it is an original,as it is in good shape and unpitted. I do have a defarbed 61 on the way,as I am more concerned about possible theft than any wear resulting from a few day's use each year. I have a very nice Lorenz also,but I have yet to take that into the field. When the right scenario comes along, I may use my '16 conversion.

Doug Price

[Jayhawk102]

Re: What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

I have only been reenacting for about 4 years now, and I will only use a repo due to I think a Authenic should be in a museum for all to see what weapons where fighting with on the field of battle.
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Tim Campbell
Olathe Union Guard

[BrianHicks]

Re: What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

Defarbed model 1816 Conversion for early war Conf.

Defarbed '53 Enfield for all other impressions.

When finances will permit, I'll add a defarbed '61 Springfield for most of my Union impressions.

[flattop32355]

Re: What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

Repro 1863 Springfield and 1853 Enfield, both in the process of being defarbed. Enfield will be left blued.

As an aside: Concerning a previous comment that authentic weapons should be in museums so people can see them: I don't necessarily disagree with that sentiment, but I kinda feel like every one of us is a mini-museum of sorts, and the best way to let folks not only see but to touch and hold such items safely, is in the hands of a reenactor. Just a thought.....

[26th NC]

Re: What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

Depends on time period, unit, Federal or Confederate I am portraying, what they actually carried etc. I have a repro 42, 61, 41 and P53, all defarbed by Lodgewood. I also have a double barrel shotgun. My original Parker, Snow and Company 1861 remains on the wall. If it were to break, so would my heart.

Layton Pennington

[kemper_rifles]

Re: What Kind of Musket(S) do you carry?

I use an original converted M1840 Springfield. Its in good shape, I take good care of it, and it doesn't look 140 years old, more like 160. Kidding, I took all the rust off it and it looks dandy. Originals don't have to look old. A good file can do wonders. Right now I'm in the market for a Lorenz.

Don't know why there is apprehension to use origionals. If you clean them up, they are as authentic as you can get. Can't really harm them, they've already been to hell and back. I personally wouldn't spend a lot of money on something that is just going to stay on the wall and collect dust. I have a cheap clock for that.