Longrifle,
Wow can we start arguments on what was the “correct” original finish on barrels of Enfield Rifle Muskets BECAUSE there were so many of them made by so many makers over a HUGE number of years and they are still being made in Darra, Pakistan.
Though there are exceptions to the rule, generally the guns the British Government purchased had to be “Interchangeable Pattern” Enfields and originally had blued barrels that often have turned to brown from age/patina. Some NON Interchangeable patterns were also made for the British East India Company as well as Interchangeable pattern guns. “Export guns” could be Interchangeable or not and many were blue, at least in the early stages of the War. Around the time of the UnCivil War, Interchangeable pattern Enfields cost around $22.00 and a NON Interchangeable gun cost around $ 17.00. (Prices did vary.) Enfield Rifle copies were also made by both the North and the South, some Interchangeable and some not. Blued barrels were more common on the better copies, though they were also purchased “in the white” to save money and get guns in the hands of the troops faster.
To top that off in the early stages of the War, both Northern and Southern Commanders actually had their troops polish off the bluing as barrels “in the white” were considered better to quickly ensure if the troops were properly taking care of their muskets and not allowing them to rust. (It was also considered to “look” prettier.) HOWEVER, Southrons learned to look for the shine off the musket barrels to show where large formations of Federals were advancing. Many Federals did not realize this until they asked Southrons late in the war or afterwards..
I have been privileged to study an original Confederate Ordnance Manual of 1863 that was a direct copy for the most part AND they gave CREDIT to the original Authors and the Original U.S. Ordnance Manual of 1861. Found that a little surprising, but it was well in keeping of what they thought was the correct thing to do then. One HUGE change in the CS Ordnance Manual was that it was STRICTLY forbidden to change the finish of barrels and locks. IOW, if it was issued as blued, browned, or in the white – it was ordered to be kept in that condition and not have the blue or brown abraded off by the troops. Of course even when the Commanders and Troops followed that order, the original blue or brown finish was worn or abraded when they cleaned them or in field use.
I have seen Orignal Enflields with barrels that were “in the white” or browned or “Rust Patina” on the outside, but still had original blue on the underside of the barrel. So generally speaking, one of the better ways to tell what the original color of the barrel was – is to take the barrel off and see if there is still traces or sometimes (surprisingly) a fair amount of blue on the bottom OR a somewhat even brown color from the original blue color oxidizing over the years.. If it was British Government owned, it normally was blue, though with a few somewhat rare exceptions.
Oh, one final note: There was an organization of Union Veterans called the GAR or Grand Army of the Republic, that was like an early VFW. A surprising number of original musket barrels and bands, bayonets, swords and other original pieces were Nickle Plated after the War for use in their Parades and gatherings. They also pulled apart muskets and shined them up all over at times when they were not plated. .
Gus
