Original Item: Only One Available. Offered here is a beautiful example of a 3rd Model Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle Musket, as produced in England with brass butt plate, trigger guard and nose cap. It has been fully cleaned and restored to put it in its best light, and features a fantastic figured stock, something we rarely see on these guns. The three steel barrel bands are held on with screw pressure, as typical of the 3rd model. The later "4th" model would switch to "Baddeley" bands with recessed screws that could not catch on uniforms or field gear.

The lock plate is marked by maker BARNETT / LONDON, with a "CROWN" on the tail over TOWER. Thomas Barnett started work in London in 1750 until 1800 when the firm became Barnett & Son. In 1835 the firm was named "John Barnett & Sons" and from 1875 until 1900 "Edward Barnett & Sons" An English gun making dynasty that enjoyed many government contracts as well as from the East India Company and the Hudson's Bay Company. The barrel bears the correct British Proof Markings of the CROWN / GP (Gunmaker’s Proof) and CROWN / V (Viewed) markings from the London Gun company, though they are faded from cleaning. We did not see any bore measurement marking, but there are some vise marks on the barrel, indicating it may have had the breech plug pulled at some point.

While the lock plate is marked with a Crown, there is no V.R. marking or other military proofs, indicating that the rifle was made for the commercial market. We have seen several examples by Barnett previously that were used for early breech loading designs such as the Robert's breech loader, so they seem to have mostly been kept domestically. However, it is always possible that some were purchased and exported to the United States, who were embroiled in its most terrible Civil War. We did not see any state or import markings, just some numbers stamped into the side of the stock (41) and the tang of the butt plate (61).

The gun is in very good condition, with a lovely figured stock and cleaned metalwork with a lovely polished patina. It definitely shows signs of use and wear consistent with service but was cleaned to put it in its best light. The rear sight is intact with the sight cap still present, though the slider is missing, and the rifle still has both sling swivels, while the ramrod is a more recent replacement. We checked the bore, and it still shows strong three groove rifling, though there is overall past fouling and oxidation, now removed. The cap nipple cone shows wear from oxidation and powder burn, and is protected by a lead protector, which is most likely aftermarket.

A very nice example of a P-1853 three band export percussion rifle with a potential Civil War connection. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: c.1863
Caliber: .58 inches
Ammunition Type: .577 Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 39 inches 
Overall Length: 54 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.

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 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.