The P1853 Enfield is probably the most reproduced military musket in the world. They are easily the most commonly encountered weapon on the modern Civil War reenactment battlefield. Yet, there has never been a perfect, 100% historically accurate Enfield offered by any of the big brands. Armisport, Euroarms, Pedersoli, and even Parker Hale reproductions all have their shortcomings; which is why the original owner of this carbine contacted David Stavlo, Lodgewood's owner and gunsmith, to rework this original First Generation Parker Hale into a perfect, historically-correct reproduction of the rare P1861 "Musketoon".
As mentioned above, the customer supplied David with an unfired First Generation Parker Hale as the base for this project. This accomplished two things right out of the gate. First it kept the cost down as it eliminated all of the "grunt work" (barrel inletting, lock inletting, etc.). Second, it also insured that the barrel dimensions would be correct both externally and internally as Parker Hale was the only company whose barrels featured both a properly profiled breech section and historically accurate progressive depth rifling (Parker Hale actually used original Enfield rifling machines to rifle their barrels). While the Parker Hale Enfields were beautifully made reproductions, they are far from perfect. Several characteristics of these muskets needed to be changed in order to reproduce a museum quality Confederate Enfield.
David began by replacing the lock plate with one of our custom "early-style" Barnett lock plates that he bone-charcoal color case hardened using the same methods that were applied to original Enfield plates. Our Tower lock plates are perfect copies of the originals. The incorrectly shaped Parker Hale Hammer was also replaced with a reproduction hammer that was cast off of an original and finished by David before being color cased to match the lock plate. The finished lock is stunning with beautiful engraving on both the lock plate and hammer with gorgeous color case.
The barrel was then "defarbed" by removing the modern Parker Hale markings and serial number, and stamping the proper London proof marks in their place. The barrel was then reblued to match the finish found on originals. The addition of one of our machined rear sights completed the barrel work.
David then turned his attention to the stock - the heart of the musket. Parker Hale Enfields were the only reproductions to be made with historically correct English Walnut, however the factory stock dimensions are incorrect. David corrected this problem by re-working literally every inch of the stock. He started with the lock panels, cutting them in and shaping them with a rasp just like the originals. He then planed down either side of the butt stock to create the same flat sided butt found on original Enfields. He thinned out the forearm and reworked the entire forestock so that the incorrect Parker Hale Baddley-style barrel band could be replaced with a correct Palmer band.
He finished the stock with a light coat of stain and several hand-rubbed applications of oil finish to make the it water proof. He stamped the stock with Confederate inspector's John Southgate's "JS/ANCHOR" taken directly from an original Confederate-owned Barnett carbine found in Russ Prittchard's book The English Connection.
The finished product is a perfect reproduction of a Confederate-imported Enfield. The quality workmanship makes it far superior to any defarbed Italian musket and the period correct construction details like the progressive depth rifling and English Walnut stock put it in a class above even the most meticulously reproduced custom muskets. As stated, this carbine was originally commissioned by the original owner of the gun. He kept it as a display item for a few years before he ultimately sold it to us to clear up some funds for some other projects. As such, it remains in near new condition with no damage other than a few minor "handling marks" on the stock.
We are no longer offer defarbing services, making this custom Parker Hale Musketoon a real rarity! Don't wait!!!