First Plugged Enfield.....

civilman1 · Jun 14, 2009

I went back to the farm's at Antietam yesterday,not much but I did get my first plugged Enfield.I carefully removed the plug to reveal a "dot" 57. Thank's for lookin'

Tnmountains · Jun 14, 2009

Great find on the enfield. I have a question for you. I have dug many enfields with no marking inside. I have 4 or 5 with the plugs still in them. Do you think if I removed the plugs they might be marked? I am in Tennessee. Was just curious as to why some of the pluged ones it seems were marked. Thanks and congrats on a great find.
TnMountains

johnreb1980 · Jun 14, 2009

Nice find Joe. :thumbsup:

I have only found 2 so far with a .57 in it. John

creeper71 · Jun 14, 2009

Really nice finds Civil!! Can't believe your still finding things over there.. I know you worked hard for the few finds you found yesterday....

shaun7 · Jun 14, 2009

why did they plug them, if you don't mind me asking?

999slvrfx · Jun 14, 2009

The slugs were under sized so they would fit down the barrel when they were loaded.
When the gun was fired the plug would expand the back of the slug to fit tight and
make it go more accurate.

shaun7 · Jun 14, 2009

999slvrfx said:
The slugs were under sized so they would fit down the barrel when they were loaded.
When the gun was fired the plug would expand the back of the slug to fit tight and
make it go more accurate.

thanks!!

who actually put the plugs in? was it something the soldier had to do before loading, or was it made with the plug in?

tymcmurray · Jun 15, 2009

Nice find, Joe. It was good getting out with you and Colleen again.

allen · Jun 15, 2009

nice looking bunch of lead !

Merf · Jun 16, 2009

Nice finds Civilman :thumbsup:

That plugged enfield is still on my wish list. :hello2:

Tnmountains · Jun 16, 2009

shaun7 said:
999slvrfx said:

The slugs were under sized so they would fit down the barrel when they were loaded.
When the gun was fired the plug would expand the back of the slug to fit tight and
make it go more accurate.

Click to expand...

thanks!!

who actually put the plugs in? was it something the soldier had to do before loading, or was it made with the plug in?

Not sure Shaun. I have heard them called rosewood plugs? I imagine the soldier may have in his spare time carved the plugs. I have found them fired with the plug trapped in the base. Maybe an expert will chime in with what he knows.
Nice finds for sure.

ModernMiner · Jun 16, 2009

Great find Joe. Congrats! :icon_thumleft:

I think Ty has one of those 57 Enfields too w/plug. :wink:

-MM-

Boobydoo · Jun 16, 2009

Sweet digs my friend, congrats on another first, surprized there any firsts left for you dude.

Hug the kid for me!

Smiles!
BDoo

tymcmurray · Jun 17, 2009

ModernMiner said:
Great find Joe. Congrats!
I think Ty has one of those 57 Enfields too w/plug.
-MM-

Thanks to you, I do!!!

cwhunter_1 · Jun 17, 2009

Hi all, just thought i'd chime in. I'm not an expert on bullets but this is what i do know . The Enfield rifle was an import for England. Its caliber was .577, however the bullet was .565 due to the paper cartridge used when loading. The bullets were machine manufactured with a boxwood plug and hand rolled with paper and powder.
Due to difficulty with loading the rifle in cold weather the bullet caliber was changed to .555.
So to answer one question the .565 bullet is stamped 57 in the base and the .555 is stamped 55 in the base.

hope this helps