Originally Posted by
Maillemaker
Even with the limited number of Enfield rounds I have fired (perhaps 400?) it is readily obvious that this ammunition clearly was the penultimate evolution of muzzle loading military ammunition. It is not surprising that the Confederacy tried throughout the war to standardize on the Enfield style of cartridge. It
is somewhat surprising to me that the United States did not investigate and adopt this style of ammunition, since they had the manufacturing ability to support it. Their test of the bullet was to try shooting it "naked" like a Burton ball and of course it would be horribly undersized for that task and, unable to carry and lubricant with no grooves, it would foul even more. However, it could be argued that given the non-existent training in rifle shooting that troops on either side got the full potential of actual Enfield ammunition was lost on both Union and Confederate troops. As such, Burton balls were probably good enough and they absolutely were simpler and cheaper to manufacture with only the bullet having to be accurately sized.
Anyway I've rambled on here long enough. I highly recommend Brett Gibbon's books, which are the basis for nearly everything I've written above (any mistakes I claim for myself and my faulty memory). He has another book called The Destroying angle which is also only $12 and also covers the evolution of the Enfield.
https://smile.amazon.com/Destroying-.../dp/171985727X
Its funny that you mention the Union testing of enfield bullets as well as pritchett bullets. I have spot in Stafford that was part of the Winter of 1862-1863 encampment of the 6th Corps. I found a spot where they must have cleared muskets by firing prior to going into camp. Besides finding quite a few type 1 cleaners and regular burton style Minnies, I have found about 3 pritchett style bullets. At first I thought they were Enfields till I cleaned the base off.
Daryl Noonan
NSSA # 14002
12th Regiment US Regular Infantry
"You see in this world there are two types of people my friend. Those with loaded guns, and those who dig. You dig!!"
Bookmarks