Life in a Crimea Rifle Pit

[ResearchPress]

I've added a letter extract from the Morning Chronicle (London), Monday 14 May 1855, to the Research Press blog.

Life in a Crimea Rifle Pit (http://researchpressuk.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/life-in-a-crimea-rifle-pit/)

It provides an interesting first hand account of life in a rifle pit during the Crimean War. Of particular note is the long range marksmanship with the then newly issued Enfield rifle, together with comment on shooting in conjunction with a spotter whilst firing upon gunners.

David

[rhbrink]

Very interesting and some good shooting too. Was that a 45 caliber rifle that the author was shooting?

Richard

[ResearchPress]

The author refers to "the new Enfield rifle (a smaller bore than the Minié)." He is talking about the newly issued Pattern 1853 Rifle Musket (the 'three-band Enfield') in .577 calibre. This replaced the Pattern 1851 Rifle Musket (the Minié rifle) which was .702 calibre.

David

[DIRT Farmer]

Intersting read David, and to think a 577 is a small bore.

[rhbrink]

That's what I was thinking, 577 a small bore! Looks like the fellow could shoot though.

Richard

[bob208]

dirt farmer i read a report by some u.s. generals worring about the change to .58. from .69. that it would leave the army under gunned..

[Mike.44]

LOL.....and go back in time and tell them troops would be shooting a .223 in the future and they would have laughed at us.

[Flinchrock]

LOL.....and go back in time and tell them troops would be shooting a .223 in the future and they would have laughed at us.

With good reason,,in my opinion!

[quilbilly]

Wow. I may have to rethink selling off my P/H 2-Band Enfield. Nevertheless, it is still too pretty to take into the rainforest for elk so it is just gathering dust.

[Mike.44]

Well Quillbilly....sounds like you need to send that P/H Enfield to me for a visit!!

[quilbilly]

I may give that some thought. I was surprised at how well it shoots PRB and no longer even cast mini's. I some of the places I elk hunt on the coast, I concluded I needed the bayonet to go with it.

[horsesoldier]

If you want to
part with it let me know, I might be interested in it.

[ResearchPress]

Here in the UK by the way, the Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain (http://www.mlagb.com) holds National Rifle Championship matches for Enfields at 200, 300, 500 and 600 yards. The NRA(GB) also holds some historic arms matches with Enfield shooting at similar distances. Another shoot I compete in is an aggregate match fired at 200, 300 and 400 yards on original 19th Century pattern targets with a square aiming mark. The ultimate challenge for Enfields though is the Asquith Cup held by the Long Range Rifles Branch (http://www.longrangerifles.co.uk) of the MLAGB: this comprises 15 shots at each distance, 600 and 800 yards.

This sort of long range shooting with Enfields (or other military muzzle loading rifles) seems to be peculiarly British. At least I am not aware of other such matches widely practised outside of the UK.

David

[TNsailorman]

The Brits could shoot. If you don't believe it, read some of the German accounts of the trench warfare of World War I. Seems the Enfield was no slouch in long range accuracy either. I love military history. I never tried my Zoauve .58 at distance but it would be interesting to see what it could do. james

[TCLouis]

I love the "Matter of Fact" discussion of the shooting back and forth . . .

Like a stroll in the park, rather than "life and death".