This Pattern 1853 rifle-musket is one of over 500,000 Enfield Pattern 1853 muskets purchased / imported by the US Ordnance Department during the Civil War.  Longarm is identified to Joseph Stout, a sixteen year old from Easton, PA who joined the 3^rd Regiment of Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry, better known as the 32^nd Pennsylvania Vol Infantry. Stout mustered in at Camp Washington in Easton as a musician in Co. C on July 28, 1861 for three years.  He served with the unit until captured in battle on July 1, 1862 at White Oak Swamp, VA. Confined to Richmond, VA until August 5, 1862, Stout was paroled at Aiken’s Landing, sent to Camp Parole in Annapolis, MD and made it back to his unit on Aug 7, 1862.  Stout remained with the 32^nd PA Vols until it mustered out in Philadelphia on June 17, 1864. Joseph Stout enlisted in a detachment of the 54^th PA Infantry as a musician and mustered out of the army only weeks later on July 28, 1864.  The soldier stayed a civilian until February 20, 1865 when he decided to enlist in Co E, 4^th US Veteran Volunteers for a term of one year at Elizabeth, New Jersey.  He served as a musician until mustered out February 26, 1866. He returned home, married and raised a family.

Of all the British arms, the Enfield Pattern rifle-musket is perhaps the best known and most highly regarded weapon that replaced all earlier infantry models in the British Army.  Just over 500,000 Enfield muskets were purchased / imported by the US Ordnance Department during the Civil War.  Stout’s classic, original British longarm is an 1863-dated, Tower-marked Enfield Pattern 1856 manufactured by Tower, a private Birmingham, England arms facility.

In complete and very good condition, this single-shot, muzzleloading rifle-musket measures a total length of 55” and features a 39” long barrel mated to a black walnut stock. Barrel wears a medium gray patina and is rifled with three strong grooves. Bore is dirty and shows evidence of pitting overall.  The lockplate surface is darker gray and has a mottled mild peppery look from scattered fine rust pitting.  Lock markings bear the standard Victoria monogram of a “crown” back of the hammer but without the “V R”, indicating a British export. Sharp block letters “1863 / TOWER” are displayed on the lockplate in front of the hammer. Numeral “2” is thin.  Mechanics are strong and crisp. The export proof marks on the left side of barrel breech are strong and clear and exhibit a provisional proof mark, a gauge mark (25) for .577 caliber, viewer’s marks, and another gauge stamp.

Upper swivel is mounted to the upper barrel band while the lower swivel is fastened to the trigger guard. Buttplate, stock cap, trigger guard and the distinct side screw washers are all polished brass. The ramrod features a head that is slotted and knurled and a tip that retains its threading for a ball puller.  The long-range rear sight has been removed.  Directly in front of the rear sight position is the identification stamped on the upper barrel breech that reads “J. A. STOUT / CO. G   32 P. V.” in small letters and numbers.  This unusual type of ID found on a longarm is the 5^th or 6^th example that The Horse Soldier has handled over the years and the ID always appears on a Pennsylvania unit’s musket, and always in the same position on the top of the barrel breech.  Another characteristic seen is the size of the ID musket markings are the same as those found on sutler-stamped ID badges or ID discs. We don’t feel that these stampings were done post-war but were applied to Stout’s longarm sometime during the war by a sutler.

Black walnut stock is in strong condition and exhibits a surface that is dark and uncleaned. No markings are visible on the stock but it does show wear as the corners and edges are well rounded from use.  No cracks but stock does show minor dings, dents and light scuffs from age and use.  This very good Enfield Pattern Tower rifle-musket is as original and complete as they come.

Accompanied by military & pension records from the National Archives.

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