Capnball
06-06-2021, 11:10 PM
I'm gathering up mostly reproduction parts (see my want ad over in the wanted/for sale board) to build a Harpers Ferry altered .58 Mississippi rifle, called the "fifth alteration" in this excellent article:
https://www.militarytrader.com/militaria-collectibles/mississippi-rifle
Basically a Mississippi rebored to .58, with a short front band, new ramrod, and 1855 sights and bayonet lug added. One of my main questions is: The article doesn't specify how the front sight and bayonet lug were attached- soldered/brazed, or dovetailed. Kinda looks like on their example rifle that the sight might be brazed or soldered, and the bayonet lug might be dovetailed? Fortunately, S&S has a good selection of parts for any combination. Next question is this: were these fifth-alteration rifles modified at the Harper's Ferry arsenal all Harper's Ferry manufactured 1841s, or would they have been mixed with rifles from the other contractors as well? If the latter is true, I'm thinking about going with Whitney or Robbins & Lawrence markings, but I want to make sure.
https://www.militarytrader.com/militaria-collectibles/mississippi-rifle
Basically a Mississippi rebored to .58, with a short front band, new ramrod, and 1855 sights and bayonet lug added. One of my main questions is: The article doesn't specify how the front sight and bayonet lug were attached- soldered/brazed, or dovetailed. Kinda looks like on their example rifle that the sight might be brazed or soldered, and the bayonet lug might be dovetailed? Fortunately, S&S has a good selection of parts for any combination. Next question is this: were these fifth-alteration rifles modified at the Harper's Ferry arsenal all Harper's Ferry manufactured 1841s, or would they have been mixed with rifles from the other contractors as well? If the latter is true, I'm thinking about going with Whitney or Robbins & Lawrence markings, but I want to make sure.