This is a beautiful, completely original and correct British Pattern 1853 Rifle Musket with bright wood having good edges and tight fit to the metal, loads of blue on the barrel, visible case color on the lock, and nice patina to the brass. The gun was made mid-war and the stock bears the stamp of a furnisher whose name appears on arms with known Confederate provenance (p.100.) The markings are crisp. All sights, bands, swivels, the rammer and the snap cap (or nipple protector on a chain) are present. The lock is mechanically perfect. The bore is mint. This would be hard to improve upon.

The walnut stock has just minor handling marks. The buttplate fits tightly. The obverse butt flat bears a crisp British Small Arms Trade stamped roundel. The BSAT was an association of Birmingham gun makers who employed a vast array of “outworkers” (estimated at 7,500) practicing distinct trades to supply the constituent parts of the weapon to the manufacturer or “furnisher,” who then assembled it, or “set it up.” The stock shows hardly any wear and preserves very sharp edges around the lock, around the left side flat and along the barrel. To the rear of the triggerguard are two inspection marks, the lower of which clearly shows a” JS” corresponding to the inspection stamp on the top flat of the barrel at the breech and to the stamped mark of the manufacturer (or “furnisher”) on the belly of the stock, “Joseph Smith.” The English Connection lists “J. Smith” among the furnishers whose names appear on English arms with known Confederate provenance (p.100.) The left side flat has extremely sharp edges, nice color, and a small inspector “D” stamp at the rear. The lock screws show a silver gray. The brass escutcheon washers are in place and have a matching patina to the other brass mounts.

The lock plate fits the wood tightly and shows very nice case colors, as does the hammer, though a bit thinner. Both hammer and lock plate have double line engraved borders. The plate bears a crisp crown at rear of the hammer and a crisp “1863 / TOWER” forward of the hammer. The bolster shows original file striations and great color. The nipple is not battered. There is no burnout to the wood. The barrel is great, with smooth metal, better than 95% original blue and crisp markings. The left breech shows the typical Birmingham provisional and definitive proof marks, view mark, and bore gauge marks of “25” indicating .577 caliber. The rear sight is in place, is complete and has wonderful blue, just like the barrel. The barrel bands, heat blued, show a pleasing mottled blue and bright mix that picks up on the case color of the lock. The front sight is present and the blue extends to the muzzle with very light thinning and very minor rubs. The ramrod is in place, shows a maker’s stamp, and is a muted silver in color.

The snap cap is in place and linked to the rear swivel by its chain. The mechanics are excellent and the bore is mint. The brass mounts have a nice, matching, medium patina. The only fault, if it is a fault, is a small brass inventory tag with the number “348” affixed to the belly of the stock that we have not touched. We have also left in place the leather sling that has some age, but does not match familiar patterns and was likely added later for display purposes.

The 1863 date of manufacture is a nice mid-war date and along with the manufacturer’s stamp opens up the possibility of this being a Confederate purchase. U.S. arms makers were catching up on demand in 1863 and Federal orders from the Birmingham makers began tapering off from March through September, giving Confederate agents more opportunity. This is an excellent example of a standard Civil War longarm, imported by both North and South in extremely large numbers. It will be hard to find another this nice. [sr]

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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