1803 Harper's ferry

[BenCoogle]

I refaced one of those frizzens some time back. The customer said that he had had it rehardened but still couldn't get it to spark.

The thing was so hard the flint couldn't cut it, it wasn't abradable. I went ahead and took the temper out and refaced with file steel and it sparked very well.

 

[torn moc]

Hmmm...I thought the guns were .54
todays copies are .58

 

[rabjr]

You must be talking the poor wannabee Italian repro's. The 1803 Harpers parts sets using the Colerain barrel is in .54 cal.

 

[tmdreb]

Some of the Italian repros are .58, but not all. My Euroarms is .54.

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

I'm slightly confused. In the book FIREARMS, TRAPS, AND TOOLS OF THE MOUNTAIN MEN the author states that the model 1803 harpers ferry was a .52 caliber. What was the caliber of the originals?........................................Watch yer top knot

The original US M1803 Rifle was a .54 caliber. .54 remained the standard caliber for US military rifles through the M1841 Rifle.

 

[rabjr]

The original US M1803 Rifle was a .54 caliber.

Yes and an original M1803 rifle should never be confused with any Italian repo.