Reproduction

[Northern Sympathizer]

Hi folks. Does anyone know of a reliable business that sells American Civil War reenactment guns? Specifically a United States 1861 Springfield rifle musket with blank cartridges.


I don't presently collect weapons of any kind, but it's on my bucket list to learn how to load and fire a War between the States recreation persuader.

 

[Lt.Drake]

Do a google search (or whatever search engine you prefer) for civil war sutlers. C and C, Regimental Quartermaster, and just about all of them sell repro muskets. As does Cabellas and Dixie Gunworks. Most vendors sell the same brand, as there's only a couple companies who make the repros, so shop around for the best prices. You may be able to buy one used from a reenactor who is getting out of the hobby too, and at a much lower price than you would pay for a new one.

Plan on spending 700-1200 bucks for a reproduction springfield, depending on what model you want. Civil War era rifled muskets really are fine weapons, and I personally consider the 1858 2 band Enfield one of the best muzzle-loading firearms ever made in terms of accuracy, dependability and beauty.

Hope this helps.

-Drake

 

[hrobalabama]

Or buy a real one. I have an original 1861 Springfield I use as a color guard to fire blanks. I will sell it for $800.
It is real fun loading and firing these old guns. It is different from the movie version but with practice you can fine up to 3 times a minute.

 

[Lt.Drake]

Or buy a real one. I have an original 1861 Springfield I use as a color guard to fire blanks. I will sell it for $800.
It is real fun loading and firing these old guns. It is different from the movie version but with practice you can fine up to 3 times a minute.

You're not the only person I've seen selling an original musket cheaper than the repros are going for. Is this just a sad fact of our hobby, that it's cheaper for us to go with authentic firearms than reproductions? I know a reenactor who has an original 1816 Harpers Ferry conversion. He bought it for 300 bucks, and had to change out the lock and springs. He uses it at reenactments, and has less than 400 dollars in a 75% original weapon.

 

[johan_steele]

http://www.lodgewood.com/Muskets-and-Other-Rifles_c_123.html

 

[Northern Sympathizer]

Or buy a real one. I have an original 1861 Springfield I use as a color guard to fire blanks. I will sell it for $800.
It is real fun loading and firing these old guns. It is different from the movie version but with practice you can fine up to 3 times a minute.

That sounds like a fair price, and it would be great to own an actual item from that era. This will be a big buy, so I'm going to look around and do some studying first. In the mean time, may I ask if you have any pictures of your musket that you could share please?


Even though I have seen the process of loading and firing a Springfield done in films, I think an instruction book on how to operate the rifle will be needed if and when I purchase one.

 

[Cumpston1862]

Our forum's very own Craig L. Berry wrote a book on the subject. Not sure if he sells them personally or not but they are available at the Blockade Runner sutler.

Go down to item # 2408 on the page. About 7th or 8th item listed on the linked page.

http://www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catpg9.htm

 

[Cumpston1862]

If you are looking for a defarbed repro 1861 Springfield Johan's recommendation is a good one.

 

[hrobalabama]

That sounds like a fair price, and it would be great to own an actual item from that era. This will be a big buy, so I'm going to look around and do some studying first. In the mean time, may I ask if you have any pictures of your musket that you could share please?


Even though I have seen the process of loading and firing a Springfield done in films, I think an instruction book on how to operate the rifle will be needed if and when I purchase one.

I will take some photos next week. There are sites on You Tube that show how to load and fire. You have to be careful even when firing blanks.

 

[ole]

And so you have the basics. A firearm is never, never t0 be treated as a toy that you play with. Like juggling sticks of dynamite. If you do it right, there is no harm done. Make a mistake and there's a disaster.

Guns are very much like that. They are very dangerous toys, and if you want one, you better dang well learn how to play with them.

 

[thomas aagaard]

Even though I have seen the process of loading and firing a Springfield done in films, I think an instruction book on how to operate the rifle will be needed if and when I purchase one.

Always treat it like a firearm. If you don't have any experience with firearms, start out by getting that under a competent teacher.

For the "how to" look in any period drill book. It would be correct and safe.

 

[7thWisconsin]

If your interest is in shooting, I actually have a fine used reproduction rifle for sale listed on this forum for $375. Go to the sale forum and look for "Zoli Zouave rifle for sale." It's a fine shooter, and a pretty gun when hanging on the wall. You can PM me for details. Muskets have been increasingly rising in cost for a while, and looking at a used gun is a worthwhile investment. (Here endeth the shameless plug; we now return to your regularly scheduled programming.)

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Ok so just logged in, have a little headache, kind of foggy, saw the thread title and wondered why the topic of reproducing children was being discussed. Going to find Advil now, please excuse, was never here.

 

[Northern Sympathizer]

And so you have the basics. A firearm is never, never t0 be treated as a toy that you play with. Like juggling sticks of dynamite. If you do it right, there is no harm done. Make a mistake and there's a disaster.

Guns are very much like that. They are very dangerous toys, and if you want one, you better dang well learn how to play with them.

Well, I tell ya, for years I have contemplated purchasing a musket, but what inspired me to consider taking small steps into obtaining one at last was that I went to my second-cousin's high school graduation over the weekend, and her father is a major gun enthusiast and has a big variety of types of firearms. As he showed me his large collection, instinctively, as I handled each gun, I pointed them upwards. Thank goodness for my subconscience because it wasn't until later that I remembered all the horror stories I have read, from the days of the War between the States to contemporary times, where people have accidentally shot one another, thinking their weapon was unloaded.

I luckily know a few peacekeeper-buffs, so as soon as I get through the buying process, the plan is definitely to shoot the rifle in the woods with one or a few of them present. (My male pride however insist I at least know the basics of loading and unloading.) Most of those fellas have persuaders from World War II to the present, so I am sure we're all going to wish to fire an 1860's model, and if I can be the one show them, I won't feel like such a sissy since I will be counting on them to handle everything else. Lol.

 

[Craig L Barry]

This whole idea of yours doesn't seem fully thought out. So you kind of want a "1860s reproduction" to fire off blanks in the woods with your friends who will be bringing modern firearms? Before you sink the kind of money we are talking about here into anything like a reproduction musket, I would contact a local Civil War reenactment group, see if you can borrow some gear, get some training and "try before you buy." Chances are fairly good you will find the experience including loading and firing quite a thrill. You want to be able to know a little bit about what you are doing especially safety measures before making any major purchases and heading off to the woods with your friends, though. Also as a general rule, "blank cartridges" are only sold at some larger Civil War events. Black Powder being classified as Hazmat, it requires separate and expensive shipping so you can't just buy a few blank cartridges on-line and have them mailed to you. Generally most of us have to buy black powder in one lb cans once you find a local source that sells it, some means of measuring it out as well as paper cartridge tubes to make our own blank rounds.

Since you broadly state you reside in the "United States of America" be aware that some of those states contain municipalities with ordinances regulating where, when and under what circumstances BP firearms can be discharged, like on an outdoor rifle range. Some states like NJ, you can't even buy them. Once fired, black powder firearms require very thorough cleaning. If not done quickly and properly the residual crud will quickly harden and corrode the metal parts. There is a lot more to all this than you seem to think.

 

[John Winn]

Ok so just logged in, have a little headache, kind of foggy, saw the thread title and wondered why the topic of reproducing children was being discussed...

You weren't the only one.

 

[hanna260]

You weren't the only one.

Seconded.

 

[Youngblood]

As to actual manufacturer- Pedersoli has the most correct markings etc but is the most expensive.
Dixiegunworks.com has good prices.