Original P53 Enfield bored to .65?

[Stantheman86]

I've had an original P53 with "1862 Tower" lock stamp, for over 10 years now.....the bore has been "smoothbored".

Today I used a bore gauge and it came in at right near .65. Looks real thin near the muzzle. The lock works perfectly.

I'm guessing a Civil War surplus/soldier bring back that was bored to a shotgun?

No way could this be a bored out .65 "Mutiny Musket" given the late lock date.

I had debated getting it relined but, I have 2 P-H Musketoons to shoot and I guess this smoothbored P53 has made it through time to be what it is.....

There's not enough meat on that barrel to make me feel good about trying to put some round balls through it, given that it's pretty much Iron.

 

[Rat]

If she were mine, I'd certainly reline the barrel, and put it back into service. Being a hunter, and having a love for classic arms, I'd re-line it for round ball. I'd not hesitate for an instant. It looks good/usable in the pics.

I have a few unmentionable antique arms that I hunt with, I am not a "collector", and am quite comfortable that there are many other examples in the museums, and "collections". I'm sure there are more than one or two P53s in collections and museums, and one not worry about "historical value".

Heck, I even have a long rifle that was with the Donner Party, probably even the only surviving such gun, and I get it out and shoot it every couple of years. So yeah, reline that sucker and shoot it!

 

[Stantheman86]

Honestly knowing myself , getting this relined will be something I'll probably never do. It's currently hanging above my parents fireplace because years ago my Dad had said that an old Musket would look good there, so I bought this Enfield off GunBroker in about 2009ish.

Funny thing is the schiester seller was all like "bore is bright with good rifling present " yeah ok guy, it's a frosted Smoothbore but I guess mistakes happen (roll eyes)

I'd be more inclined to just shoot it as a smoothbore if it were safe but I don't even know about that.

 

[Rat]

So far I've had good luck from GunBroker and one of the other sites, but I've sure heard some horror stories.

Does it have a good functioning lock, and no bad cracks or shrinkage in the wood?

 

[Stantheman86]

The lock is perfect , the stock looks like it was sanded and restained a long time ago, probably to make it look better above someone else's fireplace.

I've learned over 20+ years of "projects" sometimes you're better off leaving stuff on the wall and shooting the repops.