This Parker Hale replica 1858 Enfield .58 caliber two 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 from the popular Lyman 577-611 bullet mold. This replica rifled musket is used condition with many scattered handling marks on the stock, giving it a well used appearance. 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. This rifle musket has a 13-3/4" trigger reach and weighs 8.5 pounds.
The .58 caliber bore is mostly bright, but it does have some small frosted areas along the edges of the grooves. We could also feel a "bump" or rough spot 1/2" ahead of the breech. It will not tear a cleaning patch. 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. The rear sight is calibrated and marked in 100 yard increments, up to 1100 yards. The tapered round 32" barrel, not including the breech plug, is rifled with narrow lands and wide grooves, exactly like the original muskets. Nicely polished and blued, the blue black finish has a few marks typical of use and cleaning. The barrel has 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. The top of the barrel reads PARKER-HALE LTD. BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND..
Stocked in walnut, the stock has a rich golden brown color. 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. This attractive rifled musket has sturdy straight grain walnut, ideal for a military rifled musket. The center of the buttstock is stamped clearly with the PARKER HALE LTD cartouche. The stock has many small handling marks from being carried in the field. The brass triggerguard is drilled for a swivel, but the rear swivel is missing. The brass trim has tarnished from handling and due to long storage. A sling swivel is mounted to the front barrel band. A lug for attaching a bayonet it mounted to the right side of the barrel 4" behind the muzzle. The correct steel military ramrod easily slides through the barrel bands and into 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 buttplate is perfectly matched to the stock profile. The wide flat buttstock of this .58 caliber rifle will help spread the felt recoil.
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 1858 over Enfield. This Enfield rifled musket is fitted with a correct 5/16-18 threaded Enfield musket nipple, exactly as on the original. 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. This rifle has been used and carried extensively, it will be appreciated by a Civil War reenactor. 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.
