Parker Hale 1861 Musketoon

[sunraymajor555]

G’day,
I am looking at purchasing the a/n Musket. It is an early run model, but have noted it has a clean out screw in the flash bolster, something I have never seen in an original production for this model (I am aware the Whitworth model had this screw) and it was not present on a former PH Musketoon I owned.
I am wondering if any have source info to verify this was a manufacturers process and not an adaptation from a previous owner?

Thanks

 

[chasseur]

I have an early PH Musketoon that is unfired and mine does not have a clean out screw.I recently saw on Gun Post that does have a clean out screw and in this case it had a Allen screw so it definitely is not original.I would say that the one your looking at has had the clean out screw added

 

[chasseur]

Contact Tacfoley on here he can give you David Minshals email .He is kind of a expert on the Parker Hale Enfield muzzleloaders

 

[tacfoley]

https://researchpress.uk/contact/

As a part-time 'researcher' for Mr Minshall in his attempt to compile a serial number list of ALL of Parker-Hale's percussion repros, and the owner of a very early Musktoon - see below - I've NEVER seen a 'clean-out screw' on this model.



Here is my Whitworth #888 from 1986 - it HAS a screw in this location, but it is my understanding that it was NOT intended to be used for cleaning - it was simply a screw concealing the drilled flash channel which on this rifle was a tortuous job.

My earlier Whitworth #420, from 1980 - does not have one -

Please tell me the serial number of your proposed buy for the records.

 

[sunraymajor555]

Thanks for your insight. I found the screw unusual as decades ago I owned an original PH MUSKETOON. It did not have the noted “screw”, and I regret selling it. My Pedersoli 1858 two band is but a shadow to the PH when it comes to shooting and accuracy.
The serial number for the rifle in question is 3388, and other marking provided lead me to believe it is indeed an early run PH model, I just found the clean out screw concerning.
Though, I have read some info on line of Musketoon’s having the clean out screw, but being out of production hard to verify through the manufacturer.
I have attached an image of the bolster and screw.
Cheers.
Allan

 

[sunraymajor555]

BTW, are you able to discuss with Mr Minshall his potential insight on this?

 

[chasseur]

Here is a pic of mine serial number 2621

 

[tacfoley]

Here is a pic of mine serial number 2621View attachment 935604View attachment 935604

Mine - #1187, dates from 1974. Yours is therefore somewhat newer, but I can check with Mr M.

 

[sunraymajor555]

Thanks to you folks for the info and images.
TacFoley, there is a degree of envy. It would be enjoyable to have 1 Whitworth, much less 2.
As an aside observation, it does appear from the images of the Whitworth model that they were both drilled through the bolster, but the example from 1980 was finished in a much better manner. Close exam of the pictures reflects a difference in the bluing on the flash bolster, a distinct round shape. It appears to be positioned where the visible screw is on the later model. But, that could lead to a whole new conversation.
Thanks again as this info is most useful in sorting out my original query.

 

[tacfoley]

Thanks to you folks for the info and images.
TacFoley, there is a degree of envy. It would be enjoyable to have 1 Whitworth, much less 2.
As an aside observation, it does appear from the images of the Whitworth model that they were both drilled through the bolster, but the example from 1980 was finished in a much better manner. Close exam of the pictures reflects a difference in the bluing on the flash bolster, a distinct round shape. It appears to be positioned where the visible screw is on the later model. But, that could lead to a whole new conversation.
Thanks again as this info is most useful in sorting out my original query.

See your PM.

Here is an image showing the clear difference in finish between the barrel and breechplug -



As you can see, the breech plug, made on different machinery at a different time, took the bluing differently as well, although everything was blued when assembled after proof. Breech plugs had a different set of machinery lines of manufacture, and varied from the simple screw-in item of the musketoon to to the overly complex multi-piece design of the .451cal rifles, that makes re-barrelling them a nightmare.
,