This fine condition, original British longarm is a .577 caliber, Enfield Pattern 1853, Tower-marked rifle-musket, single-shot muzzleloader. Of all the British arms, the Pattern 1853 rifle-musket is perhaps the best known and regarded longarm that replaced all earlier infantry models in the British Army.

The musket measures a total length of 55” and is fitted with a 39” long barrel. Barrel has its original long range rear sight graduated to 800 yards. Standard iron blade front sight. Lockplate surface is smooth, medium gray and exhibits an untouched patina. Lock markings are the standard Victoria’s “crown” behind the hammer and numerals / block letters “1862 / TOWER” in front. Hammer bears the same gray coloring with the standard engraved marks in the upper right side area under spur. Nipple and bolster very fine. Mechanics are perfect.

Barrel surface appears untouched and exhibits all original browning with just light handling marks. Wears a smooth, aged plum / brown patina. Viewer’s stamp seen on the barrel breech top flat along with an untouched incise mark at the barrel tang. Viewer marks and proof marks are clear on the barrel’s left breech area. The three-groove barrel bore is strong, free of any pitting, lightly dusty, and will clean to shiny bright. Musket retains original barrel bands and the two sling swivels, one at the front of the brass triggerguard, the other at the upper barrel band. Has its brass nose cap.

Black walnut stock is strong with a dark, uncleaned surface with possibly old re-oiling. No cracks or repairs visible. Right side shoulder stock bears the maker’s large, circular stamp that reads “WARD & SON / BIRM” along the outer circumference and “MAKER” stamped horizontally in the center. Wood shows minor dings, dents and light scuffs from honest age and use. The flat of the stock opposite the hammer still exhibits sharp edging. Lockplate screws not buggered. Spaded brass washers untouched. Has the thick, straight ramrod with no swell and the knurled, slit head stamped “5329” at the tip.

In addition to the number of Pattern 1853 Enfield muskets acquired by the Confederacy during the war, over 500,000 such muskets were purchased / imported by the U.S. Ordnance Department during the Civil War. As a matter of note, this very musket specimen appears on the cover of the recently published 2013 monograph titled “The Confederate Enfield” by Captain Steven W. Knott. A very fine collectible Tower-marked, Enfield Pattern 1853 Rifled Musket.

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

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