1861 replica rifles ?

[Luke M]

My father is giving me his 1861 Springfield. It was not made in Italy or Spain. Did Springfield Armory build any replicas.? What other American companies-built replicas? I haven't seen this gun in a while. My Dad said it was built by Parker and Hale. He bought it back in the late 70's.
Anybody have info on this? It is in perfect condition and has been well maintained.
Thanks, Luke

 

[Trot]

Parker Hale made 1853 Enfield replicas, not 1861 Springfields. The early Parker Hales are still highly sought after as one of the best replicas ever made. For 1861 Springfield replicas, the Italian manufacturers are about the only choice. I know of no American companies that have made them. Colt sold copies of their 1861 special model, these were made by Armisport out of Italy however. Colt may have done some finish work and assembly of these, though I am not sure about that.

 

[dave951]

There was a run of Colts called the Signature Series but IIRC, they were made in the 80s

 

[Widows Son]

I seem to remember reading that Belgium at one time had a reproduction rifle industry, going back into the late 1950s and 60s. Dixie Gun Works/Turner Kirkland had some kind of association with it

 

[dave951]

Ask this question on the N-SSA board and you'll get more information that you bargained for.

 

[Luke M]

It's a 3-band, has the ladder type rear sight. Case hardened Lock, but I don't remember it being Blued I thought it had More of that nickel type finish . I do remember it being very accurate, I would ask my dad to send some pictures, but he is 83 and don't do cell phones. Maybe it is an 1853. My dad is still very sharp. He swears it is a Parker Hale. Need to drive down to AZ. and pick it up.

 

[ZUG]

Did the Miroku factory make any 1861 Springfields?

 

[Widows Son]

It's a 3-band, has the ladder type rear sight. Case hardened Lock, but I don't remember it being Blued I thought it had More of that nickel type finish . I do remember it being very accurate, I would ask my dad to send some pictures, but he is 83 and don't do cell phones. Maybe it is an 1853. My dad is still very sharp. He swears it is a Parker Hale. Need to drive down to AZ. and pick it up.

Mate if it’s a Parker Hale with a ladder rear sight it will be an 1853 Enfield

 

[Frontstuffer]

Did the Miroku factory make any 1861 Springfields?

Yes, they did. In fact they made both an 1861 and an 1863. Navy Arms imported and sold them and so did Dixie Gunworks--at least in kit form I think.

However, the OP said his father's example has a ladder-style rear sight which eliminates any of the 1860's Springfields since they all had flip-up leaf sights. However, it makes the P1853 Enfield more likely since they did have ladder rear sights.

 

[Luke M]

Anyone ever shoot patched RB out of these

 

[bang]

Anyone ever shoot patched RB out of these

With the right load it should.

 

[longtoothpard]

Did the Miroku factory make any 1861 Springfields?

Yes they did and they are highly sought after.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

There was a run of Colts called the Signature Series but IIRC, they were made in the 80s

Yes, and they looked very nice as i remember

 

[user 51067]

Parker Hale made 1853 Enfield replicas, not 1861 Springfields. The early Parker Hales are still highly sought after as one of the best replicas ever made. For 1861 Springfield replicas, the Italian manufacturers are about the only choice. I know of no American companies that have made them. Colt sold copies of their 1861 special model, these were made by Armisport out of Italy however. Colt may have done some finish work and assembly of these, though I am not sure about that.

An outfit by the name of "Allen Tool and Die" made an 1861 Replica Springfield at one time back in the early '80's. The owner was a former employee of Navy Arms of the Val Forget "empire" in NJ. It was entirely made "in-house" (with the exception of the correctly step-tapered Green Mountain barrel) across from Smith and Wesson in Springfield Massachusetts. They were made so well that they were used by the Olympic muzzleloading team. I know this because I still have one (and all of the associated literature).

 

[Luke M]

Meggadeath ? Thats an Awesome name. Love me some heavy metal