{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-british-3rd-model-p-1853-enfield-three-band-export-rifle-by-london-armoury-co-dated-1862","title":"Original Rare U.S. Civil War British 3rd Model P-1853 Enfield Three Band Export Rifle by London Armoury Co. with Sling - Dated 1862","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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 \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered 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 \u003cstrong\u003e1862 \/ L.A.Co.\u003c\/strong\u003e below the cap bolster, and it is marked with a \u003cstrong\u003eQUEEN'S CROWN \/ V . R \u003c\/strong\u003eto 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is additionally marked \u003cstrong\u003eL.A.C\u003c\/strong\u003e twice on the top of the barrel, and the left side of the barrel has the \u003cstrong\u003eCROWN \/ GP\u003c\/strong\u003e \"Gunmakers Proof\" and \u003cstrong\u003eCROWN \/ V\u003c\/strong\u003e \"viewed\" markings from the London Gun Company. Between these is a \u003cstrong\u003e25\u003c\/strong\u003e 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLONDON ARMOURY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1862\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBERMONDSEY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThe left side of the stock is stamped with the number \u003cstrong\u003e29\u003c\/strong\u003e by the lower lock screw, however we unfortunately were not able to find any state markings or inspection cartouches, either Federal or confederate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThe 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. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThe 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. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReally 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!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1862\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: .58 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmmunition Type: .577 Lead Ball \u0026amp; Powder with Percussion Cap\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 39 inches \u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 55 1\/4 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction: Side Action Percussion Lock\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: Muzzle-Loaded\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTE: \u003c\/strong\u003eInternational 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42072586813509,"sku":"ONAC240124","price":2995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC240124__01.jpg?v=1728673972","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-british-3rd-model-p-1853-enfield-three-band-export-rifle-by-london-armoury-co-dated-1862","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}