Macon Pattern Conversion 1842 Springfield Musket

[springfield art]

Any source for a pattern/instruction sheet for making a 1842 Macon Conversion from a replica musket? Where, what to shorten, etc. Not too crazy about shipping such an item to Lodgewood, although I know they are a good company. Today's shipping & poss. theft, etc., bugs me. I have a good ML-savvy 'smith to do metal work, etc. Thanks, guys.

 

[smoothshooter]

Any source for a pattern/instruction sheet for making a 1842 Macon Conversion from a replica musket? Where, what to shorten, etc. Not too crazy about shipping such an item to Lodgewood, although I know they are a good company. Today's shipping & poss. theft, etc., bugs me. I have a good ML-savvy 'smith to do metal work, etc. Thanks, guys.

 

[smoothshooter]

I would like the same information.
A couple of hours ago at a gun show in Springfield, MO I handled what was probably a Macon Conversion (original) Springfield smoothbore .69. Barrel measured 31” and handled like a dream.
Would like to get a replica and have the stock slimmed down properly, barrel and fore-stock shortened, and top barrel band set back to match the one I saw today. I took a couple of measurements of it while I was there.
Want one bad l, and have thousands of musket caps I need to use up before I get much older and die.

 

[dave951]

Contact the Small Arms Committee in the N-SSA. They have heavily researched this and have this information.

 

[springfield art]

I would like the same information.
A couple of hours ago at a gun show in Springfield, MO I handled what was probably a Macon Conversion (original) Springfield smoothbore .69. Barrel measured 31” and handled like a dream.
Would like to get a replica and have the stock slimmed down properly, barrel and fore-stock shortened, and top barrel band set back to match the one I saw today. I took a couple of measurements of it while I was there.
Want one bad l, and have thousands of musket caps I need to use up before I get much older and die.

John Zimmerman does 'de-farbs'; he's in Harper's Ferry.

 

[smoothshooter]

John Zimmerman does 'de-farbs'; he's in Harper's Ferry.

What kind of backlog does he usually have?
Lodgewood is 6 months, at least
I am 68 years old and don’t have a lot of time to wait.
Any other recommendations for guys that can do this work?

 

[springfield art]

I can't speak from experience, but the last time I heard or read, Mr. Zimmerman was getting ready to retire, may have had an apprentice working for him. I'd go with Lodge, if I were you. (Can't verify this, just MHO.) I wish Mr. Zimmerman well, but Lodgewood seems to be a going concern with lots of experience. Hope you get some helpful replies.

 

[springfield art]

Update: I'm having my barrel cut to shorten; the N-NSA guys replied to my inquiry, and said the Macon specs are a general guideline as other facilities in the South did repairs on that type musket, and the wartime conditions probably resulted in many variances. (Not their exact quote). They really are the source for info on muskets, for sure.