Bayonet for MVTC Enfield

[adbranaman]

Just ordered a MVTC Enfield 1853. They don't carry the bayonet,so I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with finding a proper fitting bayonetr for it? OR one that that can be fitted and how to do it? I went through the search engine and found nothing in there.

 

[tmdreb]

The best way with any Enfield, be it Italian or Indian made, is to take the gun with you to an event where bayonets will be sold and try them out until you find one that fits your gun the best.

 

[rebel727]

Just a side note. Original Enfield bayos were hand fitted to individual rifles. I bought an original Enfield bayo and it fits my repro better than it does my original Enfield.

Look at these. Prolly a better price than you'll get from a sutler.[url] http://www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catpg7.htm[/url]

 

[adbranaman]

So how do you tell if it's a enfield bayonet? My bro-in-law has a oringinal civil war bayonet,but he says theres no markings. I wouldn't know one from a rail road spike. They all look alike to me.He said he'd let me have it, but he lives three states away, so I don't want to go sending it through the mail for no reason. Of course the antique value might be worth it.

 

[rebel727]

Easiest way to tell a Springfield from an Enfield is the Springfield has U.S. stamped on the flat side of the blade.

 

[adbranaman]

Thanks! Thats a good start. My Enfield came via UPS today. I was amazed how big the front sight is,but that's all the better as my eyesight isn't very good. I know it's used for a bayonet lug. I don't remember the Springfields being like that.

 

[adbranaman]

New info. After talking with bro-in-law the bayonet has no markings on the blade,but does have markings on the barrel coupler. Theres an "L" with "410" directly under it. He says it also has a metal band with a screw.Does any of this better indenifie this bayonet. The band with screw kinda throws me off a little.The inside bayonet barrel is the same size as the outside of my musket barrel which is almost 3/4 inch.Shy of about 1/32 of an inch.

 

[rebel727]

I don't know about the markings, I'm not an authority on them. The only Enfield bayo I have right now that's not in relic condition has an E over a crown over 25. The only Springfield bayo I have only has U.S. I'm thinking all C.W. Enfield bayos as well as Enfield rifles have the number 25 stamped on them. The ring with the screw is the locking ring.

 

[TParker]

#1, The difference between an Enfield and Springfield Bayonet is most easily determined by looking at the base of the bayonet, where the blade curves to meet the barrel band. A Springfield bayonet tapers smoothly to the bend, while an Enfield bayonet has a small ridge on the blade before it bends. #2, Fitting a MVTC Enfield with a bayonet will be problematic, as they are reproductions of the Enfields produced for Indian troops, and the front sight is, as you have found, much larger than the currently made Armisport or Euroarms reproductions. I own two, which are "loaner" rifles for reenactors, and have had to resort to buying an Indian made repro Enfield bayonet, and using a dremel with a grinding bit to enlarge the opening for the front sight and the area where it slides to lock into position. Hope this helps!

 

[tmdreb]

See, I don't think the MVTC Enfields are the junker Indian stuff that we saw a few years ago. Those were the ones with the fixed sights that were a few inches shorter than the P53 muskets. The ones that MVTC sells really do look like the P53 version that saw use in America.

 

[TParker]

With all due respect to tmdreb, I own two of the current MVTC Enfields, and my observation was NOT that they were of lesser quality, but that the design of the front sight is that of the Indian version. That makes the fitting of the bayonet problematical. The quality of the rifle is good, good enough that I have ordered additional copies for our new members to use as loaner rifles.

 

[adbranaman]

You are right about the front sight being a honker of a sight. :shocked2: I just figured that all Enfields were that way. I wouldn't want to damage a original to make it fit. :nono: I guess I'll end up buying a repro to screw it up. It's all just for show anyway. My new Enfield looks in pretty good shape. My Pendersoli isn't that much better made.I don't think much of the carriering strap it came with. I wouldn't have given ten bucks for it,but it was free. Once I get a look at original carry straps I'll make me one in fancy tooled leather. Finding musket caps was fun. I drove all over Southern Indiana to my foverite gun shops looking for them. Even the huge Bass Pro Shop in Clarkscville didn't have them. I ended up at Kiesler's in Jeffersonville and they had em. I bought two tins. Probabaly should have bought more. :hatsoff:

 

[TParker]

I have the same problems with my MVTC Enfields, and, as I mentioned, have resorted to the same remedy you are planning. You will find, however, that you will have very few misfires (providing you keep the musket clean) since the opening in the nipple is already bored larger than the Armisport or Euroarms models. I have had only one maintenance problem, which is a barrel band that the screw was stripped, and Pete is making me a new one to fix the problem. They are VERY accomodating to make things right and provide a good product at a reasonable price. We use the MVTC guns for our new kids (really kids, we are a Venturing Crew and have teenagers on the line) and they are shipping me 5 more now and 3 more later. Good luck!

 

[adbranaman]

I'm kinda a new kid to Civil War reenacting at 50.I've been doing a Longhunter impression for years,thought I'd try this. I didn't want to get bogged down with a expensive gun if it don't go no where. I do like the smoothbore. - I wonder if grinding on the bayonet socket would hurt the band?

 

[rebel727]

Grinding on an original bayonet will devalue it. Not that they're worth all that much to start with but I'd get a repro to grind on.

 

[adbranaman]

I wouldn't want to damage a original to make it fit. :nono: I guess I'll end up buying a repro to screw it up.--- As I said two replys ago. I'm guessing they made so many that they have little value. How much would they go for? I believe some one mentioned around 90.00?

 

[rebel727]

Around 125.00 now if in good shape. Double that with the original sheath in good shape.

 

[tmdreb]

I can't disagree about the size of the sight, because I haven't seen one up close, and the pictures on their website are a bit fuzzy.

I had thought the difference between the British Enfields and the version produced for the colonial Indian troops was the rear sight and the barrel. The British, not completely trusting of the native troops, gave them smoothbore weapons with a simple notched rear sight, rather than the graduated ladder sight of the rifled version. I haven't a clue what the front sight looked like on these weapons.

MVTC's version looks like a decent place to start for someone wanting an authentic Enfield. The barrel bands are incorrect, as are the lockplate stampings and smoothbored barrel, but the stock profile, soldered-on rear sight and square-eared screw escutcheons are much better than what's found on Italian reproduced Enfields.

I'd like to encourage them at some point to see if they can get their supplier to correct at least some of these issues. This could really be a step forward in terms of affordable authenticity for ACW reenactors.

 

[TParker]

I have had the same conversation with them, and kicked around ways to make their product more of a boon to young (poor) reenactors. I know they would love to have their manufacturer modify the design to make off the rack bayonets work. Unfortunately, MVTC does not have design control over their manufacturer, and the manufacturer has so far not adopted the changes suggested, nor have they made their own bayonet to fit the musket. So those of us trying to get new blood into the field, and pass on this hobby to youngsters without a lot of money, are forced to modify the musket they do provide, or find used muskets that kids can afford.