MAGNIFICENT CONDITION CONFEDERATE INSPECTED ENFIELD RIFLE-MUSKET

MAGNIFICENT CONDITION CONFEDERATE INSPECTED ENFIELD RIFLE-MUSKET

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$3,650.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-720

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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. The rifle-musket offered was exported to the Confederacy by the English firm Sinclair, Hamilton & Company.

Sinclair, Hamilton & Company entered into several contracts with the Confederacy to deliver Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle-muskets and appears to have received at least five of these contracts for Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle-muskets from the Confederate central government.  Sinclair, Hamilton & Company acquired their arms through a series of sources referred to as "Furnishers". Most were well-established gun-making firms that were able to fill the large Sinclair, Hamilton & Company orders in a reasonable period of time or at least arrange with additional contractors to make the deliveries needed.

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 "1863" 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 a flawless gun metal gray color. It appears that the barrel, originally blued, was polished to bright at the time of use, a common and accepted practice among soldiers both North and South. The 3-barrel bands have a blue/age brown patination. The bore of the gun is excellent. There is a brass butt plate and a brass nose cap. The gun has is rear sight with ladder and elevator. The combination front sight and bayonet lug is present. The gun has both sling swivels in place.  The stock is solid and free of any breaks or repairs. The wood is gorgeous with a striping to the grain; and may have been lightly cleaned years back but there is no evidence of sanding; all corners are sharp. The original ramrod is there and a snap cap and chain hang from the rear sling swivel.

The top of the stock comb has a CROWN over an "SH" over "G3" which is Sinclair, Hamilton and G3 is the inspector's number. However, this compiler, whose first published article on the Confederate Enfield dates back over 50 years, is not sure that is a "G" but rather in actuality a "C". Therefore, making it S(inclair) H(amilton) C(ompany) (Inspector) 3. On the top side of the barrel is stamped "S" over "HC" in a small circle (Sinclair, Hamilton Company). And on the stock flat opposite the lock plate is an oval with a "J.C" another Confederate inspector yet to be identified but whose cartouche appears consistently on these Sinclair Hamilton Company "3" rifle-muskets.

This fine rifle-musket, with three Confederate identification stampings, is a treasure.   [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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