Here is a classic 1862-dated, ‘Tower’ Enfield Pattern 1853 British longarm with a most interesting history. This fine, untouched musket specimen, supplied to the Confederacy by the English firm of Sinclair, Hamilton and Company, was manufactured by H. M. Tower of Birmingham, England. Musket bears the identification of a Union soldier, Corporal Chauncey Town of Company I, 81^st New York Infantry, who was wounded in action during the war. Chauncey Town was an eighteen-year-old farmer from Steuben, New York when he enlisted in Co I, 81^st New York Infantry on Nov 19, 1861. Town was present with the unit save a short hospital stay in Aug 1862. He was promoted Corporal in Nov. 1862 and later reenlisted in the regiment as a Veteran Volunteer at North West Landing, VA on Dec 31, 1863. On June 3, 1864, Corp. Town received a gunshot wound to the left ankle at the Battle of Cold Harbor, VA which put him in the Armory Square USA General Hospital in Washington DC. He stayed in the hospital until he was discharged with a surgeon’s certificate of for disability on Jan 14, 1865. Town returned to NY State and received a pension. In Sept 1867, he enlisted for three years in the General Service, U S Army and was assigned to Co A, Permanent Party at Fort Columbus, NY. He served there and was discharged on Sep 16, 1870 with a second pension that turned out to be contrary to law and later stopped. Town married in Aug 1880, moved to Vineland, NJ, and died on Oct 3, 1924.

Chauncey Town’s musket is in fine ‘attic’ condition. It features one of the four distinguishing stamps used by the Sinclair, Hamilton Company to mark those firearms provided to the Confederate central government during the war. Included on the barrel’s upper breech is the thin stamping “S / H C” within an oval near the nipple. In addition, musket bears the more standard markings on the lockplate: “Victoria Crown” behind the hammer, “1862 / TOWER” in front, and three Birmingham proofmarks separate a pair of “25” gauge marks in the barrel’s left facet indicating a .577 caliber bore. A pair of viewer’s marks consisting of small five-point stars above the letters “T O” is stamped into underside of stock behind the brass triggerguard. This rifled-musket is devoid of any British military markings.

In excellent original condition, this single-shot, .577 caliber, muzzleloading rifled-musket measures a total length of 55” and features a 39” long barrel mated to a black walnut stock. All metal surfaces are smooth and wear a pleasing, dark plum-brown patina with scattered rust pitting. Never cleaned. Sliding leaf rear sight on barrel. Rifled bore is excellent with three strong lands and grooves. Slightly dusty, bore should clean to shiny bright. Lockplate surface has the usual Birmingham-style ‘double-line’ tooling engraved along the outer border. Lockplate also exhibits a dark plum gray patina with sharp, clear stampings. Hammer has the feathered engraving under the spur and double tooling at the edge. Bolster area shows light wear and nipple also has the original chain and nipple protector attached. Mechanics are excellent. Stock nose cap, buttplate, trigger guard and the distinct lock screw washers are all brass. Original ramrod in good condition.

Black walnut stock is in very good to very good plus condition. Stock never cleaned. Exhibits a surface that is smooth overall. Stock surface shows normal dings and dents. Light wood erosion at the nipple bolster area. No cracks, breaks, or repairs visible. Stock does show 1” long hand carved initials “N.C.” on the left shoulder near the buttplate. Other smaller initials “KLX 111” seen on bottom of stock in front of triggerguard. This fine Enfield Pattern 1853 ‘Tower’ rifle-musket, with its Confederate-supplier marks and its New York soldier identification, is as original and complete as they come. Of all the English military arms, the Pattern 1853 rifled-musket was perhaps the best known and most highly regarded weapon of that period. If one seeks an untouched, identified Enfield longarm with Confederate provenance, this is it. Comes with the soldier’s military and pension records from the National Archives in Washington, DC.

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