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Thread: Parker Hale Musketoon Quality?

  1. #1
    Earl Burlin is offline
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    Parker Hale Musketoon Quality?

    I just bought an early ?all English? (pre-Italian) made Parker Hale Enfield musketoon. Gun looks to be and was advertised in excellent condition inside and out.

    What is the consensus on the quality of these guns? I?ve read the barrels have the authentic progressive rifling of the originals? And that these guns were made with original 19th century Enfield tooling? Are these considered a good target barrel?

    Just looking for opinions and thoughts. Thanks!

    -E.B.

  2. #2
    PoorJack is offline
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    Maybe this would answer your question-

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    In short, yes, get a good load and it's very capable if you are.
    "A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition"
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  3. #3
    Southron Sr. is offline
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    The original, English made, Parker-Hale Carbines, Rifles and Rifle-Muskets are of excellent quality.

    The only complaint is that the stocks of the Rifle-Muskets were of two pieces, joined (glued) together under the rear, barrel band. Unfortunately, the fore end of the stock would detach sometimes under recoil. Requiring a major repair to the stock using glass bedding. Otherwise, Parker-Hale Enfields were excellent.

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    Muley Gil is offline
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    "And that these guns were made with original 19th century Enfield tooling?"

    No, they were built using modern tooling. They WERE checked using original gauges from the 19th century.
    Last edited by Muley Gil; 10-21-2019 at 12:45 PM.
    Gil Davis Tercenio
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    34th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry
    Great, great grandson of Cpl Elijah S Davis, Co I, 6th Alabama Inf CSA

  5. #5
    Earl Burlin is offline
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    Quote Originally Posted by Muley Gil View Post
    "And that these guns were made with original 19th century Enfield tooling?"

    No, they were built using modern tooling. They WERE checked using original gauges from the 19th century.
    Interesting, thanks!

    I got a message this morning from a member here claiming that no Parker Hales were EVER made in England, that even the early ones were covertly made in Italy?? ... not only that,they don't actually have progressive rifling? I can quote the message if anyone wants to see it.

  6. #6
    Lou Lou Lou is offline
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    Parkr Hale made the Breeches and springs I believe.
    Lou Lou Lou Ruggiero
    Tammany Regt-42nd NYVI

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    geezmo is online now
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    Earl,

    For what It's worth https://www.authentic-campaigner.com...-Craig-L-Barry

    I assume if they were made in Italy they would, by law, have Italian proof marks.

  8. #8
    Kevin Tinny is offline
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    Hello:

    Sorry, but I am not poking into this over the Italian vs. British " quality" aspect.
    Or am I going to wallow in where a piece is "made" vs. where the parts were made.

    P-H's can be fine shooters.

    In my opinion, there was some marketing "puffing" involved with the early P-H Enfields.
    The "gauges" were not loaned by P-H to the Italians, rather a museum example was sent to Italy.
    I have been told that the gauges are now with Val's son in West Va.
    The rifling was NOT done on the same machinery as used for original Enfields.

    My understanding, recently recounted to me by one who was deeply involved from the beginning, but is no longer active on our Forum is that P-H Enfields were assembled in England using Italian made/drilled and reamed UNRIFLED barrel blanks. They were rifled in England using rifling machinery that was surplus WWII 303 British machinery. That machinery was modified to impart a form of "progressive" depth rifling, BUT the progressive DEPTH was not the same as in originals in that there was no provision to create the same groove depth at the muzzle for different length bores. Hence too deep at musketoon muzzles, but close for two-banders and shallower at the muzzle for three banders.

    The aspect of proof house marks is interesting, but the Italian parts are a matter of history.
    The breeches and springs were British made.
    Didn't ask about stocks.
    Rest of metal parts were Italian.

    I had a very early P-H musketoon, purchased new when first introduced. It was nice.

    Very respectfully,
    Kevin Tinny

  9. #9
    Southron Sr. is offline
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    My understanding is that the British made P-H barrels were entirely made in the P-H plant in England, using the "Hammer Forging" method.

    For a good overview of the various methods of rifling barrels, see this article:

    http://www.firearmsid.com/Feature%20...anufacture.htm

  10. #10
    Earl Burlin is offline
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    Quote Originally Posted by Southron Sr. View Post
    My understanding is that the British made P-H barrels were entirely made in the P-H plant in England, using the "Hammer Forging" method.

    For a good overview of the various methods of rifling barrels, see this article:

    http://www.firearmsid.com/Feature%20...anufacture.htm
    This appears to have been the understanding of many people, myself included.

    But, it appears this may not have been the case. One thing is for certain, our hobby can be one of the most divisive, arcane, and muddled in lore that there is. Perhaps we will never all know the truth...

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