First Plugged Enfield.....

[civilman1]

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'

 

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[Tnmountains]

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]

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

 

[creeper71]

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]

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

 

[999slvrfx]

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]

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]

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

 

[allen]

nice looking bunch of lead !

 

[Merf]

Nice finds Civilman
That plugged enfield is still on my wish list.

 

[Tnmountains]

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?

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]

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

 

[Boobydoo]

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

Hug the kid for me!

Smiles!
BDoo

 

[tymcmurray]

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

Thanks to you, I do!!!

 

[cwhunter_1]

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

 

[dragon6banger]

great find joe.they are awesome to find you know the one i found with the plug in it when you were here i never did see if it had numbers in it..

 

[silverfreak]

Those are sweet. I have never hunted for relics...but would love to some time.