M1841 Mississippi Rifle Original 54 Cal Round Ball Cartridge Specs? Etc.

[Tom-in-Pittsburgh]

Can anyone point me to government specs for the original .54 caliber round ball cartridge?

Also, was there a manual for this rifle?

In addition to some being rebored to .58, were any made new in that caliber?

Finally, which of the severral repos over the years is considered to have been the best?

TIA

Tom

[Curt]

Hallo!

Round ball cartridges were covered in the Ordnance Manual of 1850.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/Michael1787/Ordnance%20Manual%201850%20cartridge%20size_zpshkw tipzk.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Michael1787/media/Ordnance%20Manual%201850%20cartridge%20size_zpshkw tipzk.jpg.html)

I am not aware of a manual for the M1841 Rifle. And I know of none ever made with .58 barrels, the .58 versions all being rebored .54's when the alterations were done in the mid to late 1850's and early 1860's to bring them up to M1855 Rifle (going to the Minie ball, with imprived rear sight, and bayonet capabilities).

I am "partial" of the older repro's done ore 1980 before the Italians started beefing them up and making them bulkier and larger. I have "good' things about Pedersoli's up-QC'd Euroarms redone version in terms of fit, finish, and function but it is still Euroarms parts/production. But, I have only read one owner's opinion so far.

Curt