I have my eyes on several extensively modified Springfield, percussion, Civil War era .58 caliber rifles that at some point in their working lives have had the original barrel shortened to roughly 24" long. Forestock also shortened so as to provide only a forearm, with most of the fore-barrel left unadorned. And, the steel ramrod simply sticking out of the remnant of the ramrod hole in the forearm.
My first question is for the name(s) of a competent gunsmith(s) who can, & will, work on this type of weapon to bring it back into regular shooting condition.
If this means a new breech plug, the barrel to be relined by Bobby Hoyt, or an entire new barrel/breech plug, so be it.
What I am looking for, at the lowest cost possible, is an original, musket cap, percussion, Civil War era, carbine length, short, handy, compact, relatively light weight, minimum of .58 caliber, patched ball, hunting rifle. Preferably, with sling swivels. Most of my shots will be under 50 yards, because I can't see any better than that without a scope.
The ones I am looking at as possible candidates for conversion, are priced at approximately $500.00.
Second question is what is the maximum bore diameter for a rifle that the Springfield barrel can be lined to? Is it possible to go larger than .58 caliber? .62 caliber, perhaps?
If having a new, drop-in (so to speak) barrel fabricated, would a .66 caliber rifled bore be possible utilizing the Springfield barrel's exterior dimensions?
Thanks for all of your help, and suggestions.
Bruce
My first question is for the name(s) of a competent gunsmith(s) who can, & will, work on this type of weapon to bring it back into regular shooting condition.
If this means a new breech plug, the barrel to be relined by Bobby Hoyt, or an entire new barrel/breech plug, so be it.
What I am looking for, at the lowest cost possible, is an original, musket cap, percussion, Civil War era, carbine length, short, handy, compact, relatively light weight, minimum of .58 caliber, patched ball, hunting rifle. Preferably, with sling swivels. Most of my shots will be under 50 yards, because I can't see any better than that without a scope.
The ones I am looking at as possible candidates for conversion, are priced at approximately $500.00.
Second question is what is the maximum bore diameter for a rifle that the Springfield barrel can be lined to? Is it possible to go larger than .58 caliber? .62 caliber, perhaps?
If having a new, drop-in (so to speak) barrel fabricated, would a .66 caliber rifled bore be possible utilizing the Springfield barrel's exterior dimensions?
Thanks for all of your help, and suggestions.
Bruce