Repro 1861 Springfield question

[amweiner]

Are you able to put a cap on at half cock?

Yes...takes a little more dexterity than I need for the Enfield, but I can get the cap on with no problems.

 

[amweiner]

Well, the US 1861 was purposely designed that way...with the half cock close to the top of the percussion cone...so that it could be capped at safety (half cock) and the troops marched into position loaded and ready to fire without the percussion cap falling off as it would be prone to do if the half cock was further back or at a greater angle, like the P53 Enfield, 1854 Austrian Lorenz, US 1842 and other designs.

This is just a lack of understanding on the part of your comrades in charge of inspection, which also doesn't surprise me. I had to explain this to the ranger during a FODO national battlefield park historic weapons demo when the ranger doing the inspection had the same objection. The "rules" state that the half cock has to be far enough off the percussion cone so you can cap the piece without coming to full cock, which is an understandable safety issue. US 1841 percussion (Mississippi) rifles are also this way, with the half cock very close to the percussion cone. They are designed this way. Cycle the lock on some originals.

I guess if they don't allow it, there is not much you can do, but it is a characteristic of the original US 1861, as well as the Euroarms and Pedersoli reproductions. The less accurate but more widely used Armi Sport US 1861, which bears little resemblance to the original in many ways, has the half cock quite a bit higher.

Thank you, Craig! This is really helpful information and i appreciate your help!

 

[Camp Randall Armory]

I'm going to agree with what Craig said. Also I will point out that the 1854 Lorenz had an extremely low half cock, so low you cannot cap it. I suspect if one were to look at an Austrian drill manual it would describe capping at full cock.

 

[gary]

Craig Barry is da Man!

 

[amweiner]

Craig Barry is da Man!

I'll second that, but want to give a shout out to everyone who provided helpful and kind guidance, you included!

 

[Craig L Barry]

Thanks for the kind words gents. It's a funny thing. Some people enjoy crossword puzzles, but around here we like figuring out the mysteries associated with Civil War muskets...or talking about them at least.