Original Item: Only One Available. Offered here is a great example of the 3rd Model Pattern 1856 Enfield "Two Band" Short Rifle Musket, as produced in England with brass butt plate, trigger guard and nose cap. The two steel barrel bands are held on with screw pressure, typical of the 3rd model, however the screws are not recessed, as they would be on the "Baddeley" type bands used on the later 4th model. It has a bayonet stand on the right side of the barrel near the muzzle for attachment of a Yataghan saber bayonet, correct for the pattern.

The lock is marked 1858 / TOWER below the cap bolster, and it is marked with a QUEEN'S CROWN / V.R. to the rear of the hammer, indicating it was a military issued example, not one intended for export. It has the correct CROWNED BROAD ARROW "Lock Viewers" mark to the right, along with another proof. The left side of the barrel has numerous proofs that look to be from RSAF Enfield, or another of the Royal Small Arms Factories.

The gun is in really great condition with a fantastic look. looking to have had parts blued during an arsenal service at some point in the past. This finish is well retained on a lot of the metalwork, particularly on the lock and trigger guard, while other areas show more wear, particularly on the top of the barrel. There is not much sign of powder burn or other use to the rifle, even near the cap bolster, which still has an original leather padded nipple cone protector present. The nipple cone itself does not look to have seen much use at all. The rifle still has both barrel bands present, and the correct mounting lug for a P-1856 bayonet. It still has the original correct short cleaning rod with a threaded end.

The stock on this rifle is really something else, being made of flame figured walnut, which shows lovely "tiger stripe" grain patterns from the nose to the end of the butt stock. Military rifles stock wood was not selected for this pattern, leaving it entirely to the luck of the draw, but we suspect it was so well preserved due to this fact. The figuring is still clear, with some great chatoyancy. Aside from a crack running from the breech to the rear lock screw, we did not notice any damage.

We checked the bore, and it is in excellent condition, still showing the three groove rifling clearly with a bright finish. There is a bit of wear, and some past fouling near the muzzle, but this is definitely one of the best, if not THE best, that we have seen on a P-1856 Enfield. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full, and the action is tight, with no slop. The rear sight is intact and functional, and the slider still holds well on the sight leaf.

A great example of a P-1856 Two Band Rifle, very possible the best that we have seen! Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1858
Caliber: .58 inches
Ammunition Type: .577 Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 33 inches 
Overall Length: 48 1/2 inches
Action: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

More on the "Enfield" Rifle-Musket: The Enfield Pattern 1853 rifle-musket (also known as the Pattern 1853 Enfield, P53 Enfield, and Enfield rifle-musket) was a .577 calibre Minié-type muzzle-loading rifle-musket, used by the British Empire from 1853 to 1867, after which many Enfield 1853 rifle-muskets were converted to (and replaced in service by) the cartridge-loaded Snider-Enfield rifle.

The term "rifle-musket" originally referred to muskets with the smooth-bored barrels replaced with rifled barrels. The length of the barrels were unchanged, allowing the weapons to be fired by rank, since a long rifle was necessary to enable the muzzles of the second rank of soldiers to project beyond the faces of the men in front. The weapon would also be sufficiently long when fitted with a bayonet to be effective against cavalry. Such guns manufactured with rifled barrels, muzzle loading, single shot, and utilizing the same firing mechanism, also came to be called rifle-muskets.

The 39 in (99 cm) barrel had three grooves, with a 1:78 rifling twist, and was fastened to the stock with three metal bands, so that the rifle was often called a "three band" model. After the pattern of 1853, there were numerous other specialized versions patterned, such as the Pattern 1856 Short Rifle, and Pattern 1858 Naval Rifle.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.