Enfield was not as good as many think(?)

[gurban]

I'm reading about it being left behind, in memoirs - Im confused, cause many talk about it being superior.

 

[captaindrew]

Welcome to the forum @gurban . Not all Enfields were created equal. They were made by several different makers and some were good and some not so much. In the US the Springfield was considered the best you can get so if you could get your hands on a Springfield and ditch your Enfield many guys would. In turn if you were stuck with some of the other imports and could get your hands on an Enfield you would certainly do that. This went on on both sides, if you could trade up you would.

 

[johan_steele]

The P53 Enfield was the rifle musket upon which all others were to be measured. Some did not measure up, some surpassed it.

The majority of P53 that made it into the ACW were hand made vs the machine made of the Springfield. The Springfield that left the factory in the morn was the same as the one that left that night.

The quality of the P53 depended upon the mood of the man putting it together and more out the door meant more coin in hand.

Issues with poorly seasoned stocks, Ill fitting furniture, poor quality control etc were common issue with the P53s that made it here.

There is no known case of US troops, or CS for that matter, passing up the opportunity to exchange their P53 for Springfield pattern arms.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[mofederal]

Hello and welcome to the talk forum from Southeast Missouri. I really like the Springfield best. I was never fond of the Enfield.

 

[Irishtom29]

Well, I would take a SMLE over the Springfield any day. ;-)

 

[mofederal]

Well I would take an M-1 Garand over any of them.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Aren't we supposed to be discussing Civil War arms?
J.

 

[Craig L Barry]

I have written quite a bit on this subject in particular, and there are many reasons why it was the case. Most of the major reasons have been mentioned in brief here as well as other posts on the subject. Here is what is interesting to consider...since there was a decided preference for the US models over the Enfield or anything else by soldiers on both sides during the US Civil War, why is that not the case today with the modern reproductions? In other words, why do so many re-enactors and live fire enthusiasts prefer the reproduction P53 Enfield over the US model(s)?

Not me, by the way...I like my (mostly) reproduction US 1861, but what are your thoughts?

 

[Phiip McBride]

I'm lazy and like the blued barrel of the Enfield because it doesn't rust overnight. And of course, there's the misfiring thing with the repro Springfields. As a campaigning reenactor the rust and misfiring are big deals, but as a short guy I do enjoy that the sling of the Springfield is on the middle barrel band and not the top, so it rides higher on my shoulder.

 

[mofederal]

I never ever had my 1861 Springfield repro ever misfire, even with live firing. I guess I had a very good one. The Enfield I just plain did not like.

 

[redbob]

Enfield is an area of London and was the home of the Royal Small Arms Factory which was the official arms supplier to the British military. Other arms manufacturers were located in the same area and thus any weapons produced in the area (regardless of who made them) were known as Enfields. Also, welcome to the group from Alabama.

 

[UCVRelics]

Welcome From THE Heart Of Dixie. If its an Enfield or Springfield maintenance is always the key. If I had my choice I would go with the Ma Deuce 50 cal.

 

[captaindrew]

As far as repros go I have both and like both but my Springfield fouls so bad in the cone and were the clean out screw is it is a pain in the neck. After about 40 rounds it starts misfiring and I take it all apart and meticulously clean it every time. Never had that problem with an Enfield.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Is your fouling issue with blanks or live fire?
J.

 

[Stony]

I'll take the Enfield everyday over the Springfield.

 

[Irishtom29]

Aren't we supposed to be discussing Civil War arms?
J.

I was making a little joke, a word play on Enfield. OK?

 

[captaindrew]

Is your fouling issue with blanks or live fire?
J.

Blanks during reenactments

 

[captaindrew]

In fact my Springfield almost cost me plenty last weekend. Was at an event, Saturday used my Enfield with no problem. Sunday we had to galvanize and go blue so I figured I'd use my Springfield. Made it through the battle ok but at the end we always fire a volley near the spectator line to salute the fans and any veterans that may be there. Here's where it almost cost me. After the salute we immediately cap off to clear our weapons. Our captain has a rule if anyone's gun goes off when clearing they have to buy beer for the company. Guess when my Springfield decided to misfire, yup during the salute. Luckily he turned his back for a moment and I quickly dumped the charge before capping off. I just knew it would decide to fire then. Close call.

 

[D.H. Hill]

It's odd how many reenactors have issues with the Springfield (1861 I assume?) missing fire. Perhaps it's an issue with the reproductions? Perhaps not having a ball on top of the load changes pressure enough to affect it? It is telling that they switched back to the "straight through" ignition in the 1863 though whether this was because of misfires or cleaning issues (men were eventually instructed NOT to remove the screw during cleaning, as many were being lost this way). It's a shame, being such an elegant weapon.