Original Item: Only One Available. Offered here is fantastic example of the 3rd Model Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle Musket, as produced in England with brass butt plate, trigger guard and nose cap. The three steel barrel bands are held on with screw pressure, as typical of the 3rd model. The lock is marked E.P. BOND / LONDON below the cap bolster, and it is marked with a QUEEN'S CROWN to the rear of the hammer. However, there is no V.R. under the crown. This indicates that this weapon was not intended for a British Military contract but was aimed at the overseas market, most specifically the United States, who were embroiled in its most terrible Civil War.

This example is a bit different than previous examples we have had, as this is a FEDERAL rifle, which is interesting as "E.P. BOND" examples are mostly seen with Confederate Markings. However it is always possible that it was captured from a blockade runner, or that Federal purchasing agents were able to acquire some from Bond as well.

The rifle is marked on the butt plate tang E / 151 / MASS / 44, indicating issue to the 44th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. This regiment's nucleus was the 4th Battalion Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, known as the "New England Guards". An old state militia unit dating back to the Revolution, the 4th Battalion was called upon to serve garrison duty at Fort Independence shortly after the beginning of the Civil War. After President Abraham Lincoln's August 1862 call for 300,000 men to serve for nine months the 4th Battalion was given permission to recruit to a full regiment and to muster into federal service.

The regiment departed Massachusetts on October 24, assigned to Maj. Gen. John G. Foster's Department of North Carolina, later designated as the XVIII Corps. The regiment saw much service in North Carolina, and was not involved in many of the more famous engagements farther north. However they still saw extensive service, and took part in the following battles / operations:

● Battle of Rawl's Mills, North Carolina -  November 1862
● Goldsborough Expedition - December 1862
● Battle of Goldsborough Bridge - December 17, 1862
● Siege of Washington, North Carolina - March - April 1863

After being mustered out in June 1863, they were later recalled to enforce law and order in New York City following the tumultuous New York Draft Riots of July 13–16, 1863, leaving after a week.

While this is an export rifle, it does not appear to have any relation to the Birmingham Small Arms Trade that was busy sending weapons to the Rebel states. The rifle is marked on the left side of the with the CROWN / GP "Gunmakers Proof" and CROWN / V "viewed" markings from the London Gun Company proof house. Between these is a 25 markings indicating "25 bore" or about .571". There is another proof mark below this, which we unfortunately cannot identify.

The gun is in very good condition, with a nice stock and lovely metalwork. There is little sign of powder burn or past pitting, even near the cap bolster, so it does not look to have seen extensive use in service. The sight slider is intact, as is the front sight, and the rifle still has both sling swivels and the original cleaning / ramrod. We checked the bore, and it still shows excellent three groove rifling, with just a bit of overall haze and very minor oxidation in a few small areas. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full. The stock is really quite lovely, showing only light wear with no signs of major restoration.

Really a great example of a Union Marked P-1853 Enfield rifle, one of the few that we have ever had. Ready to display and research!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1862
Caliber: .58 inches
Ammunition Type: .577 Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 39 inches 
Overall Length: 55 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.

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. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". 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.