Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: Conversion of Harper Ferry rifle to Fayetteville

  1. #1
    54thvareb is offline
    Team:
    Visitor (non-N-SSA Member)
    Member
    Na
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    39
    Region:
    Visitor

    Conversion of Harper Ferry rifle to Fayetteville

    I have a Will Ellis brass mounted Harpers Ferry rifle with long range rear sight. Rear sight has a big peep hole drilled through it off center to the right side. Can this rifle be converted to a Fayetteville rifle type 1? By changing the lock cover to a high hump and adding a model 1858 two leaf sight? Is this acceptable under SAC rules? Thanks ms

  2. #2
    John Holland is offline Moderator
    Team:
    44th NY Volunteer Infantry
    Member
    00973V
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    2,871
    Region:
    Northeast- New York

    Re: Conversion of Harper Ferry rifle to Fayetteville

    The N-SSA recognized Fayetteville Rifle, Type 1, does not have a patch box. It also has the 1855 H.F. Rifle short iron nose cap. If you only want the 1855/58 Rifle rear sight, then exchange rear sights and you will have a 1855 H.F. Rifle, Type 2.

    John Holland
    SAC

  3. #3
    54thvareb is offline
    Team:
    Visitor (non-N-SSA Member)
    Member
    Na
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    39
    Region:
    Visitor

    Re: Conversion of Harper Ferry rifle to Fayetteville

    Would the SAC approve a Fayetteville rifle with a patchbox if it was historically correct? I have never seen one in person. I have seen pictures of them in Confederate arms books.

  4. #4
    John Holland is offline Moderator
    Team:
    44th NY Volunteer Infantry
    Member
    00973V
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    2,871
    Region:
    Northeast- New York

    Re: Conversion of Harper Ferry rifle to Fayetteville

    SKIRMISH RULES

    SECTION 14: SMALL ARMS

    14.1 ACCEPTABLE SKIRMISH MATCH FIREARMS
    Only original or reproductions of military firearms manufactured......in quantities of at least 100 arms each.

    14.8.4 BURDEN OF PROOF, NON-STANDARD ARMS (INDIVIDUAL APPROVAL)
    A competitor wishing to use an original firearm or reproduction.....or any arm on which the Small Arms Committee has no information, must submit documentation to the Small Arms Committee. That documentation must include photocopies of original Civil War-era documents or books or recognized secondary source material, such as books or articles that directly validate the exact design or configuration of the arm or component submitted. The documentation must also prove the production quantity of the arm submitted. The purpose of the documentation is to satisfy the committee that such firearms would qualify under rule 14.1. The burden of proof is on the submitting party.

  5. #5
    54thvareb is offline
    Team:
    Visitor (non-N-SSA Member)
    Member
    Na
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    39
    Region:
    Visitor

    Re: Conversion of Harper Ferry rifle to Fayetteville

    To John Holland: Since the n-ssa was founded. I would believe the Fayetteville rifle has been documented completely. With 5 types of fayetteville specs sheets SAC has, none has a patchbox. In the inventory of parts sent from Harpers Ferry to Fayetteville, 98 finished patchboxes were sent along with rifle machinery. This quanity is two short of the 100 rifle issue rule. Whether they were brass or iron, or even used at the Fayetteville armory. I do not know. I thought I read the Fayetteville armory made around 200 rifles from Harpers Ferry parts. How many has a patchbox, I do not know. Thanks for the information. I assume no one is shooting a patchbox Fayetteville rifle in N-ssa competition.

  6. #6
    John Holland is offline Moderator
    Team:
    44th NY Volunteer Infantry
    Member
    00973V
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    2,871
    Region:
    Northeast- New York

    Re: Conversion of Harper Ferry rifle to Fayetteville

    To Rick Soles,

    You use quite a number of alias names on this forum. You have registered variously as "Quantrillsraiders", "Chapman's Battery", "54thvareb", and who knows how many other names. You joined the N-SSA in 1998 and were a member for one year. In that one year you participated in one skirmish.

    Since you weren't a member of the N-SSA very long, you probably don't realize that the entire Small Arms Committee is made up of volunteers who give freely of their time for the benefit of others. The key word there is "freely", because they receive no compensation whatsoever for everything they do...myself included.

    Under the assorted alias login names you have used over the past 10 years, you have asked inumerable questions of the Small Arms Committee on what can and cannot be approved. Quite a few members this Committee have spent a lot of time crafting detailed answers for you. You emailed me one time telling me you wanted to build a Mississippi Rifle, but didn't know which variant you wanted to build. I spent four solid weeks writing detailed informational emails to you answering just about every imaginable question under the sun on the dozen variants of Mississippi Rifles the N-SSA recognizes. And then, after all that, you asked me "...is there any brass on a Mississippi?"

    Why do you keep hiding your identity? Why do you keep asking what can be approved by the Small Arms Committee when you have no intention of participating, etc?

    Now, I will ask you once again, please explain yourself.

    The last time I asked you that question you just re-registered with yet another alias.

    Sincerely,
    John Holland
    Chairman, Small Arms Committee
    Inspector General Corps
    Bulletin Board Moderator

  7. #7
    54thvareb is offline
    Team:
    Visitor (non-N-SSA Member)
    Member
    Na
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    39
    Region:
    Visitor

    Re: Conversion of Harper Ferry rifle to Fayetteville

    I think NSSA forum rules prohibit posting topics that do not concern "Civil War Small Arms". I do not want to be banned from the BB. I cannot get the private message part to work. If your incline to do so, send me your phone number via private message, I will call you. Rick

  8. #8
    Southron Sr. is offline
    Team:
    24th Georgia Volunteer Infantry
    Member
    3002
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Gorgia
    Posts
    1,319
    Region:
    Carolina - North Carolina and South Carolina

    Re: Conversion of Harper Ferry rifle to Fayetteville

    I would never recommend "converting" a Will Ellis rifle! No more are being made and sooner or later, their value will be much more than any "garden variety" repro as Will Ellis was an exceptional craftsman.

    Back in the early 1970's I purchased a repro Model 1855, two band, "steel mounted" rifle from Will. How do I know it was an "original" Will Ellis rifle? I went to his home and purchased it from him!

    Not only did the rifle have an original Harpers Ferry 1855 lock in it, but also an original breech on to which Will had attached one of his barrels.

    The "steel mountings" (buttplate, patchbox lid, trigger guard and plate, barrel bands and nose cap) didn't rust because Will had cast them out of COIN SILVER in homemade foundry!

    With that rifle, I could bust drink cans all day long at 100 yards. The rifle was exceptionally accurate.

    So I would recommend that you don't change a single thing about an original Will Ellis rifle! You already have a "treasure."

  9. #9
    54thvareb is offline
    Team:
    Visitor (non-N-SSA Member)
    Member
    Na
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    39
    Region:
    Visitor

    Re: Conversion of Harper Ferry rifle to Fayetteville

    Mr. Southron Sr. You make good points. I will leave it as is. Thanks Rick

  10. #10
    54thvareb is offline
    Team:
    Visitor (non-N-SSA Member)
    Member
    Na
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    39
    Region:
    Visitor

    To Southron Sr. Are you the author of the Georgia Armory Rif

    Did you the write the information on the Georgia Armory rifle a few years back? Who they were issued too. I have a Tom Nixon made Georgia armory rifle. A beautiful made rifle. Thanks Rick

Similar Threads

  1. Ring Tail and Harper's Ferry Moulds, NEW
    By Charlie Hahn in forum Wanted/For Sale Items
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 08-25-2011, 07:47 AM
  2. WTS: 2-band Harper's Ferry Model 1855
    By in forum Wanted/For Sale Items
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 12-15-2010, 04:19 PM
  3. HARPER'S FERRY MAYNARD
    By Will in forum Wanted/For Sale Items
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 02-01-2010, 08:16 AM
  4. 1855 Harper's Ferry Rifle
    By Jim Brake 3587 in forum Wanted/For Sale Items
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-23-2009, 09:45 PM
  5. FS: Used Italian 1803 Harper' Ferry Rifle-blackpowder
    By Jim Chochole in forum Wanted/For Sale Items
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 12-28-2008, 10:41 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •