Post war musket conversions

[dav2567]

im interested if anyone has any information reguarding post war musket conversions to fowling pieces i have a enfield im working on putting back original and have noticed the tang has been lengthened is this a common modification has anyone seen this before

 

[Story]

Welcome.
Photos would help.
Imgur.com is a wonderfully simple hosting site.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Once the obsolete muskets went into civilian hands they became "fair game" for any type of modification you can imagine! I have seen everything from commercially altered muskets exquisitely done by known gunsmiths and signed with their names on the barrels, to extremely crude work done in a farm blacksmith shop. A while back I even saw a CS Richmond Low Hump Musket altered into a Kentucky Rifle! The barrel had been shortened a couple of inches with the stock tip and nose cap moved back accordingly. The entire stock had been "slenderized" with the barrel bands and shoulders removed and the barrel pinned to the stock. Even the butt plate had been thinned along with the butt stock. The sights had been replaced with Kentucky Rifle sights, too! A really ingenious and rather attractive post war alteration of something that makes us cringe today!
J.

 

[dav2567]

i appreciate the quick responses i will post some pics soon as i can i plan on restoring this rifle and any and all help is appreciated i also have a question concerning confederate repaired weapons is there anyone who has done any books on the subject

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[Jobe Holiday]

dav2567 - To the best of my knowledge, there have been no books done specifically on Confederate repaired arms. I would suggest you just pose your question, even in a new thread if you wish, and see what responses you get!
J.

 

[Story]

i appreciate the quick responses i will post some pics soon as i can i plan on restoring this rifle and any and all help is appreciated i also have a question concerning confederate repaired weapons is there anyone who has done any books on the subject

1. Before you touch anything, consider this - every modification is part of that weapon's history. Sometimes it's best to leave things as they're found. Post pics, we need to see your new treasure.

2. Hard to write a book when there was no documentation generated. Remember, Southern ordnance guys were up against the ropes to repair whatever came in the front door and get it shipped out the back door as fast as they could. That doesn't leave a lot of time for detailed recordkeeping.