Mississippi rifle question

[Griebz]

Hey all

Hope I put this in the right place, but is the Mississippi rifle considered 2 or 3 band in the hobby? Meaning is it allowed in the rear rank and does anyone here use it?
Thanks for the help

Pete Griebel

[desotobob]

I have one. It is a two-bander and is shorter than a regular musket. It is up to the venue where they are allowed. You can't use them at all at some NPS sites.
Private venues are another matter. At least that is my experience.

[Griebz]

That's what I figured . Thanks for the help

Pete Griebel

[Artyman]

If allowed it will be a front rank only weapon.

Harry

[Craig L Barry]

One way to be certain if a weapon is a two-band or three-band is count the barrel bands.
The exception is the Lorenz, which has three bands, but only a 36" barrel making it between a rifle
and a rifle musket in length. The issue with two banders in the rear rank is the distance
between the breech (where the cap ignites) and the muzzle (where the charge comes out).
If either end is too close to the front soldiers ear drum, it can cause hearing damage. This is
more of an issue of drill and training than the number of bands, but many events do not permit
two banders at all. Period.

Apparently National Park Service sites must vary on the practice because STRI (Stones River) has a US 1841
rifle and a two band P-58 Enfield among their reproductions available for historic weapon infantry demos.
It would a park specific rule, not a regulation.

[reddcorp]

As I recall, it accepted a sword bayonet, making it difficult to stack with other rifle muskets with socket bayonets.
A.Redd

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Unaltered M1841 Rifles had no provisions for bayonets. The mid 1850's (into 1862) alterations usually added an M1855 Rifle sabre bayonet type lug, however, some were modified for the
M1842 socket bayonet while some were altered by turning down the end of the barrel for a M1855 Rifle-Musket type socket bayonet.

Technically, the M1841 is a "one bander" as the second band is a looped nose cap.

The M1841 had a 33 inch thick walled "rfile" barrel which was NUG considered a standard rifle length. As did its sucessor, the M1855 Rifle. As was the British P1856 Short Rifle.

It can be "annoying" in the Period. For example, the Sharps NM 1859 Rifle had three bands but only a 30 inch barrel. The Spencer Rifle had three bands but also a 30 inch barrel. On of the varients of the Colt-Root M1855 Rifle had two bands but a barrel length of 37 1/2 inches.



Curt
User of altered M1841 at some events/living histories Mess

[Boyd Miles]

......

Technically, the M1841 is a "one bander" as the second band is a looped nose cap.
.......

So by that standard 16s and 42s can only be used in the front rank and are flat out banned at some events.

[reddiamond]

While on the subject of Mississippi rifles....
I recently bought an old Zoli Mississippi that was sold through Navy Arms.
I heard that they used Zouave locks on these. I found it at a gun show in poor shape and am in the process of fixing its many problems.

The hammer does not line up correctly with the nipple. When fired, the inside, forward part of the cup hits the nipple- where it should hit the center of the inside. Kind of like the hammer was bent down. I don't know if this is the best description.
However, the hammer does not appear to have been bent. It is like the angle where the hammer meets the nipple is off. This particular weapon was designed to use original CW nipples.

Is this a common problem with Zoli Mississippi rifles?

I'd love to make this a presentable and usable piece. I know that these have other authenticity issues (beech stock, etc.). But it was really cheap.

Any ideas or suggestions??

Scot Buffington

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Zoli was a pioneer in repro arms back to the late 1950's.

In brief and to over generlaize, Yes, Way Back When, it was easy for them to come out with the "Mississipi" using the "Zouave" tooling/machinery.

Not having the gun in my hands, I am venturing one guess that the original tumbler was replaced with one from another era or possibly from a competitor's line. As a result, it allows the hammer to over rotate and strike the cone "timed" a little forward of center.

NUG (Normally, Usually, Generally), the Zoli products of their era were of better quality and "built better," than the more recent Italian offerings due to the era and the fact that we as a Hobby demand less now as compared to back then.

Curt