My 1803 Harpers Ferry

[Enfield1]

Not a lot going on this morning. I thought I would show y’all my 1803 Harpers Ferry rifle repo.

 

[rusty]

real nice rifle and equipment

 

[Notchy Bob]

That's a nice outfit, brother. Did you build the rifle?

I'm also interested in that buckskin hunting shirt. What can you tell us about it? I've always wanted one of those.

Thanks,

Notchy Bob

 

[Jaegermeister]

Love it! Had one years ago and I had replaced the rear sight with a Kentucky style. The push button patch box release was so cool. Those beautiful rifles seem to draw a lot of attention at the shooting range!

 

[Grenadier1758]

Looks good. How does yours shoot? Mine does pretty good with a 0.530" ball and 3fg GOEX powder.

 

[Enfield1]

That's a nice outfit, brother. Did you build the rifle?

I'm also interested in that buckskin hunting shirt. What can you tell us about it? I've always wanted one of those.

Thanks,

Notchy Bob

Thanks. I wish that I could build a rifle. I purchased this rifle about 14 years, ago. I was in the process of reading the Lewis and Clark journals and Stephen Anbrose’s ”Undaunted Courage”. (Excellent reads, if you get the chance) and I just had to have it. I know now, that chances are, they used 1792 full stocked contract rifles. I had to have a set of “skins”, as well. I love to dress according to the firearm that I am shooting. That is part of the fun, for me. An Indian trading post in Gainesville, GA made these for me. I have the fringed pants to go with them.

 

[Enfield1]

Looks good. How does yours shoot? Mine does pretty good with a 0.530" ball and 3fg GOEX powder.

This rifle shoots very well. I initially had to drift the rear sight, a little, but after that, it has been dead on. It likes 80 grains of 2FG behind a home cast .530 round ball and a .15 patch with a little 4FG from a small priming horn. I have yet to harvest a deer with it, but I would like very much to do so.

 

[fireman1]

Beautiful rifle!! You're not the only one who like to experience shooting old guns in character.

 

[Oldhickory]

Thanks for the picture. That is one rifle with a huge amount of military history. From the 1st US Rifle Regiment, to the War of 1812, to the disbanding of that Regiment into the 3rd US Infantry, to its use by 3rd US Infantry escorting the first caravan down the Santa Fe Trail and return, to the Mexican War, to US Cavalry chasing Cheyenne Indians on the plains in the 1850s.

 

[Doc Ivory]

Boy, that's a great looking piece!
I love guns and articles from Harpers Ferry.

 

[Heyyou48307]

I had one of those, forget who it was made by. Wish I hadnt sold it now

 

[Jaegermeister]

Same here. I think it was maybe Euroarms. Kicking myself in the butt (which is difficult at 57 years old)!

 

[Cowboy]

Here was Antonio Zoli’s version of their 1803 Harpers Ferry back in the day. They offered theirs in .58 cal. This specific one was built in 1976.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Jaegermeister]

Oh. ... Mine was a Zoli but in .54.

 

[Cowboy]

Not a lot going on this morning. I thought I would show y’all my 1803 Harpers Ferry rifle repo.

Love the rifle. Love your setup too!

Thanks for sharing with us my friend.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[FiremanBrad]

I have a Zoli in .58

 

[Kev308]

I was handed a Zoli rifle in 58 caliber. I was wonderwhat you all shoot in yours? We have been experimenting with minie balls so far not so good. Kind of hard to find good load info

 

[Cowboy]

I was handed a Zoli rifle in 58 caliber. I was wonderwhat you all shoot in yours? We have been experimenting with minie balls so far not so good. Kind of hard to find good load info

Tried both .570 and .575 RB, with 60 gr. of Goex 3f, .018 pillow ticking spit patch.

Accuracy was about the same with both diameter balls.

My assessment? The cock has a rather long throw. The trigger on the heavy side. Definitely not a very good off hand gun. The rifle has acceptable accuracy when benched.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Mongo]

I have a Zoli in .58, great rifle. It's actually a copy of the later production Harpers Ferry "iron ribbed rifle", the so called Type II (1814-1819 era), the original being .54 cal.

 

[MountainSmoke]

Love that rifle. Thanks for sharing. Nice set up you have there.