Reenactors with War-Time Rifles?

[Drumfish420]

How many of you guys that are living-historians use war-time rifles/muskets? I think this is the coolest thing ever. Share pics if you have them!

 

[RedRover]

Don't have any pictures, but thirty years ago in the large group I used to participate with there were a few fellows who employed original arms. These chaps generally kept them immaculate, and they looked in better condition than most of the replicas in the outfit...

Thirty years before that, according to some fellows who were in the Centennial reenactments (1961-65) there were many reenactor clubs that used original guns...

In the article below, Mr. Ross Kimmell describes the processing and effects of those reenactments on original guns...
Ross Kimmell, Civil War Centennial...reenactments

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Yes back in the 1960's and 1970's it was not uncommon to see original long arms being used. I vividly remember one gentleman who carried an original Fayettevill. It was much more common at N-SSA events which aren't reenactments. You still see originals at N-SSA shoots.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

Don't have any pictures, but thirty years ago in the large group I used to participate with there were a few fellows who employed original arms. These chaps generally kept them immaculate, and they looked in better condition than most of the replicas in the outfit...

Thirty years before that, according to some fellows who were in the Centennial reenactments (1961-65) there were many reenactor clubs that used original guns...

View attachment 476625

In the article below, Mr. Ross Kimmell describes the processing and effects of those reenactments on original guns...
Ross Kimmell, Civil War Centennial...reenactments

Great link to this article by Ross Kimmell.

We had a neighbor who, back before there were any reproductions, hand made parts for original guns including complete locks.

 

[RedRover]

Great link to this article by Ross Kimmell.

We had a neighbor who, back before there were any reproductions, hand made parts for original guns including complete locks.

in the early 2000s I bought a US M1816 musket, contract made by Whitney (percussion conversion, cone in barrel). It was a real beater, and I just used it for living history displays, etc. (never put powder in it). I was told when I bought it that it came from a reenactor who used it for MANY years.

 

[archieclement]

in the early 2000s I bought a US M1816 musket, contract made by Whitney (percussion conversion, cone in barrel). It was a real beater, and I just used it for living history displays, etc. (never put powder in it). I was told when I bought it that it came from a reenactor who used it for MANY years.

Surprised its not more common as replicas often seem to rival originals in price.

 

[Salterr]

How many of you guys that are living-historians use war-time rifles/muskets? I think this is the coolest thing ever. Share pics if you have them!

I had just lent an independent filmmaker 2 of my authentic long arms to use in his movie. I would imagine early on that people in reenactment could use real weapons the way that old film studios used real uniforms. They certainly were more affordable back then.

 

[Salterr]

Surprised its not more common as replicas often seem to rival originals in price.

Wow I had no clue they were just as much as the real ones!

 

[RedRover]

Surprised its not more common as replicas often seem to rival originals in price.

That is... until the original is "restored"... to a collectors' condition perhaps; maybe a "provenance" added, etc. etc.

 

[johan_steele]

I have an M1855 RM made of original disassociated parts and an original M1864 as well as a dozen others I set out as a display.

 

[archieclement]

That is... until the original is "restored"... to a collectors' condition perhaps; maybe a "provenance" added, etc. etc.

However one wouldn't need to restore many beaters much to just use as a powder burner. And could still come out ahead in money and authenticity.

 

[MarkTK36thIL]

I still use a Federally converted m1816 and Lorenz. I'll bring out one of my CS Halls if it's a drill type of event. But it's definitely common, especially for Lorenz rifles as repros do cost as much as originals, and they can fit a bayonet.

 

[bayonet]

I only remember 1 guy using an original Springfield Musket and 1 Officer using an original sword back when I reenacted about 20 plus years ago. Most of us had repro muskets defarbed by Zimmerman at events. Gave up reenacting about 50, running around in full wool in 90-100 degree heat as you get older not a good idea. Hated it when we had to babysit the instant heat casualties (one in his 70s), I wasn't going to be that guy!

 

[captaindrew]

I've seen a few original muskets in the ranks but not many. Personally I don't think I'd ever use an original except maybe in a living history or parade situation. I do however carry an original foot officer's sword when filling an officer roll and I know and have seen several others as well, there's a huge difference from original to repro swords.

 

[thomas aagaard]

I use a French M1822T (or "ex Fransk minigevær Model 1822/48/61" as its usually called today here in Denmark).
Denmark purchased 20.000 of them in 1848, used them during the 1st sleswig war in 1848-50, then rifled in 1861 and used in round two in 1864.
Its is clearly marked 3rd battalion, I so Pretty much know where is was used in both wars.

Its cheaper than a replica Enfield or Springfield, (there are plenty of them around compared to the number of people who want one) and there are no legal issues with using it, unlike replicas that have become an issue over the last few years.

my Danish Bayonet, Sabers and Sidearm are also originals... no way around it since no one make them.

The most rare is my "Commandersergeant sabel model 1854"... Denmark had 262 of the after the first war... and they where issued to the infantry command sergeants. (who did the job of a LT, and commanded of one the 4 platoons in the 200 man infantry company)

Also own a 2nd M1822, but it is made up of part from 3 guns and got a P1853 from 1859, that I use to use before I got the M1822s


The great coat Iam wearing on my profile photo is a model 1910 (from 1914) but its very similar to the type used in 1864.
Civil defense used them into the 1960ties then put into storage until the 1990s so there are still plenty of them around.

It cost me less than 100USD... so I could not even get the cloth for a new one for that price... and then I would need to pay someone to make it for me.

 

[Tony Z]

How long was Bannerman's (and similar dealers) in business? Deep in to the 20th century, selling surplus and actual items from the Civil War (and later). I would suspect the centennial celebrations set the values raising.

 

[archieclement]

How long was Bannerman's (and similar dealers) in business? Deep in to the 20th century, selling surplus and actual items from the Civil War (and later). I would suspect the centennial celebrations set the values raising.

There's still current dealers occasionally offering relatively cheap somewhat similar period arms, least to the ACW imported weapons.

Like Nepalese armory stuff. Tower muskets, Enfields, martini-henry, ect. Like IMA

International Military Antiques | Military Collectibles | Antique Guns

International Military Antiques offers military collectibles, antique guns, and military artifacts for sale. With 60 years of experience, IMA is the largest militaria retailer in the world with thousands of rare military antiques for sale. We also purchase military themed collections and vintage...

www.ima-usa.com

 

[gjpratt]

I bought my 1853 Enfield from a Florida reenactor in the 1980s.

 

[tankredi]

I used a shortened French m.1822.
Then I used a French m.1842 assembled from various original parts.
Now I switched to a defarbed Cook&Brother short rifle reproduction.

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

I'm not a reenactor, but I use my originals to hunt and for plinking/target shooting. I got a large buck (255 lbs) using my 1853 Enfield.

In the Field - Not sure how to title this one...(1853 Enfield in action? Old Warhorse Still Up To The Task?) | Small Arms & Ammunition

Hi everyone. Having received advice from a number of you on a number of topics in regards to shooting the 1853 Enfield (minie ball moulds, minie tolerances, powder charges, etc, etc,) I put all that advice to good use today. As much as I am saying "thanks", alas, I think there will also be...

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