Springfield 1861

[Steel Horse Rider]

Last weekend I broke my piggy bank and bought a like new condition Springfield 1861 that my local gunsmith had just worked over for a customer. He had shown it to me when he first got it about two months ago and I happened to be in the shop when the owner came in to pick it up. Turns out he lives just three blocks due south of me and we were able to conduct business that was satisfactory to both of us.

I could not find any minie balls on Saturday so I settled for some 58 caliber round balls with a Bore Butter saturated patch and 90 grains of 2F Goex. I believe the stories I have read about Union soldiers shooting over the heads of advancing rebs at close range is true as this one appears to shoot about 16" high at 50 yards, but it is such a rush to fire a gun that is 152 years old that as long as I hit even the target holder I was happy!!!!

 

[BADUNAME30]

No pictures.....it didn't happen.

 

[MattShlock]

Sure, sure. NOW we want a picture with today's paper in the foreground...

 

[72coupe]

Here is my unfired Colt's 1861.

Your turn.

 

[4v50 Gary]

My experience is that minie guns don't shoot round balls very well. See if you can get a minie ball mould.

BTW, overshooting was common by both sides. It's called feigned fighting. You don't shoot me, I don't shoot you. By 1864 though, reluctance to kill was reduced by years of death and hardship.

 

[BADUNAME30]

Gosh...she's just beautiful coupe.

 

[72coupe]

I know Jim, you should see it in person. I am dying to shoot it but am to lazy to cast up some minies and fortuneately no one sells them locally.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I ordered mine online from a place in New York.
http://www.ssfirearms.com/

I am pretty busy the next couple weeks but I will try to get a few photo's to prove that I am not a space alien and the gun is not a martian disentigrator......

 

[sharps59]

also try Ball-Accuracy. If you cant find their web sight go to the N-SSA home page they are under sutlers.
the colt signature series run large bores I have 2 both shoot a .580.
Both mine shoot 42gr 3fffg w the hodgens minnie.