Building a rifle/musket, is it feasible? I have a some questions.

[54thGeorgia]

I am wanting to build either a 53 Enfield or a 42 Springfield. I was planning on getting a stock from Dunlap woodworks and a barrel from either Whitacre or Bobby Hoyt. I have built a few flintlocks and figured one of these would not be too difficult to build or is it? For those that have a barrel from either Whitacre or Hoyt, do they come with the bolster and breech plug/tang or is that something I will have to source from somewhere else?

Many thanks in advance!

[Carolina Reb]

It is absolutely feasible. Lots of us do it. Barrels usually come ready to install but if it has a cast bolster you may have to do some fitting to the lock plate. Go with original parts as much as possible for the bands, trigger assy. and especially the lock, even though it will be more expensive. Springfields are generally easier to build since there are a lot of parts out there for them, and they are parts interchangeable (at least after 1841). The Enfields imported for the war were mostly hand made and not parts interchangeable. The biggest issue in building an Enfield is that you will need to buy a complete lock, with hammer, as putting one together from parts is going to be almost impossible.

Come to the National next month. You will find several folks on Sutlers Row who will be glad to share their wisdom and experience with you. You will also be able to pick up most of the parts you will need, and maybe even find a project gun to get you going.

[Maillemaker]

I had a barrel made for my Euroarms P53 by Dan Whitacre, and he provided a breech. I wish I had used the breech that came with the Euroarms barrel; I did not realize that the old breech would fit exactly back into the wood, and the hammer would hit the same nipple in the exact same place as it always did. The new breech had a slightly longer tang and the nipple is not quite centered under the hammer.

But if you are building a rifle from scratch that should not matter to you.

The question will be whether or not they have breeches.

Here is Dan's web site:
http://www.whitacresmachineshop.com/

Robert Hoyt you have to call: 717-642-6696
They say it's best to call in the morning as once he goes into the shop he is working.

I've never built a musket though I have hacked together a couple. As I understand it the Dunlop stocks (if you can get one; I thought they were getting out of the business of Civil War gun stocks?) are inlet with more wood than you need to allow you to remove wood as needed to get a precise fit.

Traditions sells an Enfield kit:
https://muzzle-loaders.com/products/...-cal-kr6185303

It will probably be a much easier kit to assemble than trying to finish a Dunlop stock to take the parts.

Here is a similar 1842 Springfield smoothbore kit:
https://logcabinshop.com/oc30/index....oduct_id=85147

For the price of these kits, though, I'd ask around here on the forum and elsewhere if someone has one for sale. Save yourself a bit of work.

Here is a Pedersoli Enfield on Gunbroker:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1064459399

There is a Pedersoli Springfield there also, as well as a few Zoli Zouaves.

Steve

[Carolina Reb]

Also, build specification sheets are available from the Small Arms Committee. These are indispensable for building an arms that will pass the inspection required for a custom made arm to be used on the line. Skirmish arms must match the measurements of an original within certain limits for approval. Post a request for which arm you want to build and one of the members should get back to you.

[54thGeorgia]

I had a barrel made for my Euroarms P53 by Dan Whitacre, and he provided a breech. I wish I had used the breech that came with the Euroarms barrel; I did not realize that the old breech would fit exactly back into the wood, and the hammer would hit the same nipple in the exact same place as it always did. The new breech had a slightly longer tang and the nipple is not quite centered under the hammer.

But if you are building a rifle from scratch that should not matter to you.

The question will be whether or not they have breeches.

Here is Dan's web site:
http://www.whitacresmachineshop.com/

Robert Hoyt you have to call: 717-642-6696
They say it's best to call in the morning as once he goes into the shop he is working.

I've never built a musket though I have hacked together a couple. As I understand it the Dunlop stocks (if you can get one; I thought they were getting out of the business of Civil War gun stocks?) are inlet with more wood than you need to allow you to remove wood as needed to get a precise fit.

Traditions sells an Enfield kit:
https://muzzle-loaders.com/products/...-cal-kr6185303

It will probably be a much easier kit to assemble than trying to finish a Dunlop stock to take the parts.

Here is a similar 1842 Springfield smoothbore kit:
https://logcabinshop.com/oc30/index....oduct_id=85147

For the price of these kits, though, I'd ask around here on the forum and elsewhere if someone has one for sale. Save yourself a bit of work.

Here is a Pedersoli Enfield on Gunbroker:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1064459399

There is a Pedersoli Springfield there also, as well as a few Zoli Zouaves.

Steve

I spoke with the Daniel at Dunlap, they are currently out of stock but should have more 1842 stocks by the end of the year.