Most people would probably say shoot them, as evidenced by the replies already posted. That is a personal preference. Mine is to never fire one of my originals, that is what they make fine reproductions for. I have been a Civil War collector for over 40 years. I have originals that would probably be fine shooters. I have a Model 1816 that was used as a flintlock in the Mexican War, converted to percussion in the early 1850's, and used as a percussion in the Civil War. Looking at how the breech was modified when it was converted it may not be safe to try to shoot today. About 20 years ago or so an elderly member of our club would bring out an original to shoot a bit each month. One afternoon I saw him break the hammer on a Hall carbine. It looked like it was perfectly sawed in half 90% across, with only a thin sliver holding it together. I thought to myself at the time that is the reason not to shoot originals. No matter how many may have been made of a particular model, I see them all as individuals and unique. Each may have its own small ding somewhere in the stock or grips through use, a soldier's initials carved into the stock, etc. Just yesterday I acquired my 5th original Enfield from the war. Although the others may well have been used by the South, this is the only one that shows definite proof of Confederate purchase. It has the name of the stock maker, known to supply stocks for Confederate Enfields, impressed in the stock. It has the Sinclair Hamilton marked stamped into the stock, a firm which supplied Enfields to the Confederacy. Although the dealer gave me a good deal on it, it was still almost twice the price of a good Enfield minus the Confedrate markings. To say Lucifer would have icicles hanging from his horns before I would shoot that one is an understatement. The originals are too valuable, too hard to replace, and have gone through too much. Just as a person retires when he is older, I let the originals remain in retirement and have shooting fun with the reproductions.
