Fixed the Potsdam all up

[kotkinjs1]

After many coats of BLO, straightening the barrel as best I could, some brazing and metal repair I'd not expected, and a few minor parts from S&S that needed browning, she's all done. Also found a bayonet which unfortunately required some reaming out of the socket to fit the muzzle diameter. But it's all good now and ready for display. I'm surprised how heavy this beast is. It seems like a much more substantial arm than a Springfield or Enfield. A few photos from before, all dry and sad looking, then after.

 

[JOHN42768]

Nice job, good for another hundred years

 

[captaindrew]

Looks good

 

[UCVRelics]

Fantastic Job. Merry Christmas.

 

[frontrank2]

Turned out nice! I read that the Prussian muskets were used in the early war by some of Grant's troops. They were not considered the best, but i have found mine to be a decent shooter for a smoothbore.

 

[thomas aagaard]

I'm surprised how heavy this beast is. It seems like a much more substantial arm than a Springfield or Enfield. A few photos from before, all dry and sad looking, then after.

It is very clearly heavier when you pick it up.

Just for fun I tried to weight my 3 muskets.
It was done with a kitchen weight on the floor, with the musket standing upright, lightly supported by a wall, so its not that accurate, but I did it the same way with all 3 of them.

Enfield P1853 from 1859 - 3850g
It is missing its rear sight and the buckle for the sling on the triggerguard.
I got the sight, it weights 54g

Suhl musket - 4430g
Compleet.

French/danish M/1822/48/61 - 3810g
Also missing rear sight, but otherwise complete.

So the "potsdam" or in this case Suhl is about ½kg or 1 pound heavier than the two others.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

Your work brought out the "flame" or "tiger striping" in that that beech wood stock, didn't it?
Where did you buy the sling swivels?

 

[kotkinjs1]

Your work brought out the "flame" or "tiger striping" in that that beech wood stock, didn't it?
Where did you buy the sling swivels?

S&S Firearms. They came blued but the sideplate screw was in the white and I had to brown it.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I've had these on my "parts to get" list for a couple years, and I guess I better get my set now that I see them on your Pottsdam.
Did you get the one replacement lockplate screw there, too? Any modification needed to fit it to your musket?

 

[kotkinjs1]

I've had these on my "parts to get" list for a couple years, and I guess I better get my set now that I see them on your Pottsdam.
Did you get the one replacement lockplate screw there, too? Any modification needed to fit it to your musket?

Yup - got all three parts from them. Only modification was the browning. Fit like a charm. I'll probably bang up the edges to soften them up a bit to match the other one better though.