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Thanks for the update; I'm glad that some of the Troops can keep a "souvenier" of the trip.

I'm not sure about APO regs, but a muzzle-loader (one not using a fixed cartridge as ammunition - cap-and-ball revolvers included) can be shipped (I'm pretty sure - might want to check) via US Mail, UPS or FEDEX as it is not considered a "firearm" under USPS regulations.
Some States such as Mass., NJ, and the People's Republic of Kalifornia, however, DO restrict them (as well as BB-guns).

As Reenactors, we have to be careful where we travel with our Civil-War period weapons. Reenactors have been jailed in some of these Socialist utopias just for having their muzzle-loader, while their rifle is impounded in a Police Station basement to rust. New Jersey, as I recall.

The M-1853 Enfield was a percussion-fired system (distinct from the earlier "Flint-Lock" weapon mentioned in an above post) which used a copper "cap" containing a tiny bit of fulminite of mercury placed over the "cone" (looks like a grease-fitting right under the hammer nose) as a priming device.

Self contained cartridges were being developed during the Civil War in which the priming (via the "rim-fire" or "pin" and even the French (naturally) "teat-fire" arrangements were integral with the metalic, paper or (Smith Carbine) even rubber casings containing the propellant (black powder) and projectile. The Army decided to stick with the old, obsolete muzzle-loading paper-cartridge system through the war as it was relatively simple, rugged, reliable and "Soldier-Resistant".

If any of these lads decide to try to fire any of these relics, I hope you know that ONLY BLACK POWDER should be used in them as propellant, and then they must be thougroughly cleaned after firing with soap and water or other specific solvents to prevent corrosive residual salts from rusting them. No doubt someone in Ordnance can get ahold of some FF or FFG black powder (the Military still uses it in some applications) and caps. I'td look sharp if a Color Guard could be armed with them for "Drill & Cerimony" purposes.

Keep a couple handy just in case them "Jammin' Jennys" choke up on ye in a fire-fight! (They are effective in hand-to-hand, especially with the 17" triangular bayonet!)

I have written an article on Maintainence of the ML rifle/Musket if anyone is interested, would be glad to share.

Regards;
"Uncle Jaque", Musician & Armorer,
3rd Reg't MAINE Vol. Inf.
(Educational Living History Reenactment Unit)