Japanese built Springfields...

[William H. Shuey]

Hi Troops:

I have had a Miroku built Charleville repro for some years and have been very impressed with the quality of the piece. For a "flinch-lock" it shoots very well. I have an opportunity to pick up one of the Miroku built Springfields that were imported, I believe, by Navy Arms.
Has any one out there had experience with these and would you comment on the weapon??

Bill Shuey
1st Maine Heavy Artillery.

[Curt]

Hallo!

I have had two "Miroku" (mixed model) "M1864's" and one M1861.

Many consider the Miroku line superior to the Italian M1861's, M1863's, and M1864's. But that comes mostly from the Reenacting Community.

I shot a "M1864" for two seasons in the N-SSA, 1975 and 1976. I would have shot it when I went to join in 1974 but there were problems and SAC approval was delayed.

IMHO, and experience, it shot okay, but not well. I went to a Parker-Hale P1858 rifle for three years, and finally built my own M1855 Type II which I shot much better for some 14 years.

I sold off the one M1864 and used the other to make an 1862 era Richmond RM. :)

Curt

[RaiderANV]

I've had several pass through my hands and still have one of each model they made. The 1861 is the only one I spent time on to sight it in and got 1 1/4" at 50 and 3" at 100. The quality, finish work and the closet copy of an original place them high on the reenactor's wants list. In 90% + condition you can get $750+ for them from reenactors......I have many times.

[bobanderson]

If you can, measure the bore. I’ve heard that the Miroku barrels ran over size, as high as .584 in my experience.

[Jim_Burgess_2078V]

I purchased my Miroku M1861 Springfield from Dixie Gun Works when they first came out in 1990 (for all of $400). After 27 skirmish seasons and perhaps more than 15,000 rounds through it I'm still shooting the musket as it continues to be very reliable. As Bob Anderson has noted, the bore is a bit large. I shoot an unsized .580 Rapine old style minie.

Jim Burgess
15th CVI

[Ron The Old Reb]

​I have an Miroku M1863 Springfield that I bought when they first came out and it too has a 580 bore.