.573 Marked on underside of barrel

[Limestone]

Hello, I have question about a box of parts or "kit" I have . The barrel is a new Springfield 58 cal. smooth bore. I do not have good set of calipers yet. The barrel is stamped on the underside .573. Is that normally the size of the barrrel or the size round ball I would shoot? Thanks ahead of time.

[Carolina Reb]

Which model musket is it? Is it original or reproduction?

I have never seen an original CW vintage barrel marked with the bore diameter, but that doesn't mean that it never happened. The US 58 caliber muskets are all rifled and at least 0.580" bores, Models 1855 through 1863. They were designed to shoot hollow base minie balls, not round balls. There was a Model 1841 Cadet Musket made in 57 caliber smoothbore, but they are VERY RARE. Only about 450 were made.

[Limestone]

It is a repro "kit". I guess when I get it all put together. I want to get the correct size round ball to shoot it. I may see if I can keep an eye open for the right size mold to cast my own. Thanks

[mike davenport]

PLEASE make sure if this is a reproduction "kit" that that barrel has been proof tested. There are companies who are creating "kits" that have units that are no more than PIPE, never shoot anything from these units - blanks or live rounds
it is a recipe for disaster
if you are unsure- contact some one who can review and verify the unit can handle live fire
mike davenport
DSR

[Maillemaker]

Hello, I have question about a box of parts or "kit" I have . The barrel is a new Springfield 58 cal. smooth bore. I do not have good set of calipers yet. The barrel is stamped on the underside .573. Is that normally the size of the barrrel or the size round ball I would shoot? Thanks ahead of time.

As a general rule, unless it's a custom made barrel, it's unlikely that any caliber marking on the barrel matches the actual bore. The only way to find out what you really have is to measure the bore. You can get a cheap set of calipers from Harbor Freight Tools.

Are you planning on shooting a patched round ball or a naked round ball?

In my .69 smoothbore I shoot a .678 round ball roughed up to increase its diameter to about .688. The "whiskers" raised up from the roughing are weak enough to wipe away during loading while still maintaining a tight fit in the bore. When shooting historical paper cartridges, I use a .650" round ball, which goes down the barrel encased in paper.

Steve

[Michael Bodner]

With all due respect, you'll not get an accurate reading using calipers since the number of grooves is odd.

You really need some plug gauges to measure the bore diameter. Unfortunately, they cost abou $5 per gauge and you'll need more than one. Come in 0.001" increments

Boots

[Limestone]

Thanks for the info, this is still parts. I am trying to do my home work as I clean and put things together.

[Maillemaker]

With all due respect, you'll not get an accurate reading using calipers since the number of grooves is odd.

The gun in question is a smoothbore.

Steve

[Lou Lou Lou]

Based on size it might be a 3 band Cadet?