P1856 Iron Mounted Enfield Rifle

Believe it or not this custom P1856 Enfield Rifle actually started out life as Euroarms P1853 musket which had seen a long service life of reenacting before being broken through the wrist. 

The parts were sent to us and David Stavlo rebuilt it; converting it into Pattern 1856 rifle.

The barrel was first cut down to 33" and re-crowned. The original rear sight was removed and a correct, custom-machined rifle sight was installed in its proper location near the rear band. A new front sight and bayonet lug were mounted. The entire barrel was then draw filed and polished by hand to remove all pitting left from years or reenacting.

The components were mounted to a new straight grain walnut stock that was carved specifically for this project. David hand fit each component to the stock to make sure the fit was similar to what's found on original muskets that were made with precision machinery. He then shaped the stock to near perfect dimensions. The stock was burnished like the originals before being finished with linseed oil. Correct inspector's cartouches were applied. 

The brass furniture was replaced with iron components which were cast off of pieces taken from an original rifle. The castings were polished and fit to the new stock, and the barrel bands, and furniture were all blued.

The lock plate was replaced with a custom CNC machined plate stamped "1861 TOWER". These stamps were copied using "smokes" taken off of original plates to insure that they are exactly the same size and style as those found on original guns. 

A custom hammer casting from The Rifle Shoppe replaced the original incorrectly shaped Euroarms hammer. It was hand polished and fit to the lock. The lock and hammer were both bone-charcoal color case hardened using the same methods applied to originals.

The finished product is a truly one of a kind piece that was common place during the war, but never replicated for the reenactor market. It was very gratifying to salvage this busted up Italian reproduction and turn it into a historically-accurate custom gun.