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1861 DATED ENFIELD TOWER RIFLE-MUSKET CS INSPECTED
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$2,250.00
Quantity Available: 1
Item Code: 2026-729
Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer
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Call 717-334-0347,
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The British made Pattern 1853 “Enfield” rifle-musket was the second most used infantry long arm of the American Civil War. It was the first “small bore” rifled long arm to see general issue to all British military personnel, effectively making every soldier a “rifleman” and the smoothbore musket obsolete. The .577 caliber rifled bore was a significant ballistic development. The Pattern 1853 would significantly influence the design of the new American Model 1855 Rifle-Musket and all arms production going forward. Approaching a million Enfields including rifles, rifle-muskets, musketoons and carbines saw use in the American Civil War. Today, it is difficult to determine if a specific Enfield was exported from Britain to the North or South. Recently, the Horse Soldier acquired a collection of imported British Enfield rifle-muskets that were destined for the Southern Confederacy. This "study collection" offers weapons by various contractors with varying dates of manufacture all having distinctive markings that make them exclusively Confederate imports.
This British Pattern 1853 Enfield (with the modifications based on field use is today called by many collectors the Pattern 1858 or 3rd Pattern) rifle-musket is dated "1861" over "TOWER" on the lock plate. At the rear of the lock plate is the Queen's crown. The gun is devoid of any British military inspection markings and is a typical Birmingham-made contract gun for commercial sale that was destined for export from Great Britain. The mechanics are perfect. The 39-inch barrel is Birmingham proofed and marked "25" for bore or .577 caliber and has dark brown patination with heavier pitting at the breech. The 3-barrel bands, have this same patination. The bore of the gun is fair and very dirty. The brass butt plate is stamped "62". The brass nose cap is in place. The gun lost its original rear sight a long time ago. The combination front sight and bayonet lug is present. The gun has no sling swivels. The original full-length ramrod is in the channel under the barrel. The rich patina of the rod matches the gun perfectly. The stock is full-length, solid and free of any breaks or repairs. The stock has a dark brown color. The wood does show some scattered bumps, dings and minor dents. On the comb of the stock is "SL" in capital letters. A prolific but yet to be identified by name Confederate inspector in England. For further reading we recommend The English Collection by Pritchard, Huey and Prince. Neatly carved on the obverse stock is "J.C. HOLTRY" over "MO---" and "1892". This is an attic condition Confederate import. [pe][ph:L]
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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