Original Item: Only One Available. Well here is something we have not seen before, a London Armoury Company produced 3rd Model P-1853 Enfield Export Rifle, made right during the early U.S. Civil War. The London Armoury Company had been established in 1856 with the sole intention of producing military arms for British War Department, as well as export markets. The muskets produced by them were among the most well-made and desirable at the time, and today are among the hardest to find of Civil War era Enfield Rifles. This is the first example that we have ever had, and it is really a lovely example, and comes complete with an old leather sling and barrel tompion, which could be period.

The board of directors and shareholders in the London Armoury Company read like a “Who’s Who” of the 19th century English gun trade, and included (among others) Archibald Hamilton, Robert Adams, Richard Ashton, James Kerr, John Deane and William Harding. The London Armoury Company (LAC) produced arms have the distinction of the being the only machine-made, fully interchangeable parts Enfields to be imported during the American Civil War. The guns are instantly recognizable by the brass lock escutcheons, which have rounded wings instead of the normally encountered square wings, as seen on this example. It looks to be an earlier made example, as later ones would have the "Baddeley" designed barrel bands as used on the 4th Model Enfield.

This company was a preferred contractor of the British Government, but once the U.S. Civil War broke out, it became one of the major suppliers for the market, particularly the confederacy. They initially had some contracts supplying the State of Massachusetts, but confederate buying agents such as Caleb Huse managed to secure a good portion of all their production later on. He in particular had an inside track, as Archibald Hamilton, the managing director of the London Armoury Co., was also the principle in the firm Sinclair, Hamilton & Company, a primary supplier of arms and equipment to the south. Huse secured large contracts, and many guns were exported to the southern states, though it is not clear how many got there. What is clear is that the company became almost completely dependent on sales to the Confederacy and survived for only a year after the end of the war, dissolving in the Spring of 1866.

Offered here is a lovely example of the 3rd Model Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle Musket, as produced in England by the London Armoury Company, 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 1862 / L.A.Co. below the cap bolster, and it is marked with a QUEEN'S CROWN / V . R to the rear of the hammer. While Birmingham Small Arms company export rifles did not have the "VR" on their lock plates, those of L.A.Co. did, and this example is textbook, simple in design without any border around the edge.

It is additionally marked L.A.C twice on the top of the barrel, and the left side of the barrel has the CROWN / GP "Gunmakers Proof" and CROWN / V "viewed" markings from the London Gun Company. Between these is a 25 marking, indicating "25 bore" or about .571", and below the proofs is another proof that we do not recognize. The right side of the stock bears the correct L.A.Co. round date stamp:

LONDON ARMOURY
1862
BERMONDSEY

The left side of the stock is stamped with the number 29 by the lower lock screw, however we unfortunately were not able to find any state markings or inspection cartouches, either Federal or confederate.

The gun is in very good condition, with a lovely stock, and the metalwork actually still retains a good amount of the original blued finish, especially on the barrel around the rear sight. There is not a lot of powder burn on the nocks form, possibly because a brass flash guard was installed under the cap to deflect the primer gases away. The front sight is intact, as is the rear sight, which has an intact slider and functions very well. The lock functions correctly as well, holding at half cock and firing at full. We removed the tompion to check the bore, and it is in very good condition, showing a bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There is just a bit of oxidation near the muzzle, possibly water being drawn to the steel by the wooden tompion.

The stock is in great condition, showing the expected dents and dings from service, but still looking great. We did not notice any major damage, cracks, or repairs, and the fore stock area actually has some lovely flame figuring to it, making this a very attractive example. The rifle still has both sling swivels and the original cleaning / ramrod. The attached sling is definitely old and a bit delicate, and has a faded maker marking near the brass chook.

Really a great example of a rare London Armoury Co. P-1853 Enfield rifle, the only example that we have ever had! Ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: 1862
Caliber: .58 inches
Ammunition Type: .577 Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 39 inches 
Overall Length: 55 1/4 inches
Action: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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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.

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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.