This Parker Hale replica 1858 Enfield .58 caliber three band musket was manufactured in England, current reproductions of this rifle are made in Italy. Designed to shoot our .577 caliber Pritchard style Minie bullet, #BALL-57-MINIE. The Enfield rifled musket, and the special hollow base Minie bullet that allowed quick reloading, achieved fine accuracy, and much longer range than the round ball muskets of an earlier generation. This replica rifled musket is in used condition with some handling marks on the stock, a dark streak from cleaning, and the brass has developed a dark patina. Enfield muskets were imported and issued by both the North and the South. The Confederacy purchased Enfield muskets from neutral England, and brought them into the south, at great risk, aboard the blockade runners. Trigger reach is 14" and this rifle weighs 8.9 pounds.
The tapered round 39" barrel, not including the breech plug, is rifled with narrow lands and wide grooves, exactly like the original musket. Nicely polished and blued, the blue black finish only has a few minor scratches from normal use. The bore is bright and has been well maintained. The barrel is tapered round, with a distinct flat at the breech, which makes a smooth transition to the tang. The top flat is stamped with the modern English black powder proof mark, indicating the English origin. The top of the barrel reads PARKER-HALE LTD. BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND. The correct Enfield ladder style military sight is marked for up to 1100 yards of elevation. The front sight is a military post soldered 1-1/2" behind the muzzle.
Stocked in walnut, the stock has a rich golden brown color. This attractive rifled musket has sturdy straight grain walnut. The stock shows some scattered handling marks. The center of the buttstock is stamped clearly with the PARKER HALE LTD cartouche. Unlike U. S. Springfield muskets, the Enfield musket is trimmed in brass. The brass buttplate and triggerguard are retained with blued steel screws, as original. All of the brass on this musket has aged to a dark patina. The buttplate is perfectly matched to the stock profile. The wide flat buttstock of this .58 caliber rifle will help spread the felt recoil.
The bottom view shows the brass triggerguard is fitted with a correct swivel for a military style leather sling. A sling swivel is mounted to the front barrel band. No sling is included with this musket. The correct steel military ramrod easily slides through the barrel bands and into the stock. A brass muzzle cap protects the end grain of the stock. Two brass sideplate washers are inlet just below the side panel of the stock, and counter bored to accept the two lock bolts.
The color case hardened lock has the classic Enfield shaped percussion hammer. The top of the hammer is checkered for a sure grip when cocking. The lock plate is marked with a crown over PH on the tail, and 1853 over Enfield. This Enfield rifled musket is fitted with a stainless steel 5/16-18 threaded Enfield musket nipple. The mainspring on this percussion lock is very strong and has a smooth trigger release.
This is an early production Parker Hale musket, made in England. These early rifles are fitted and finished much better than the current production Parker Hale rifles made in Italy. Both sides prized the English Enfield musket. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.
