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Posted: 4/26/2011 7:42:31 PM EDT
| Looking to get into my first blackpowder gun. I'm extremely interested in getting a Springfield 1861 for historical purposes, but I don't need a real antique... Just something for the range and safe. I think I saw an ad for one months ago, and it had a really shiny barrel. Is that historically accurate? |
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The recently available ones were from either Euroarms or Armi Sport (Armi Chiappa). Of the two, the Euroarms had slightly more authentic lines and slightly better quality, but Euroarms is no longer in business. Better than either of those was the 1861 Springfield by Miroku of Japan, but it hasn't been made in years. I understand that Dixie Gun Works recently had a few Mirokus in kit form.
"National Armory Bright" was the original finish. Keeping the finish bright was a good way for the officers to check that the soldiers were keeping their muskets clean and free from rust. In fact, when blued guns were received as imports (Enfields and others), it was standard practice in many units, North and South, to remove the bluing with a vinegar bath before the rifles were issued. Some pre-Civil War arms, notably 1841 "Mississippi" rifles, were browned (not blued) so as to be less conspicuous. But these were mostly for special units, not run-of-the-mill infantry. |
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