Original Item: Only One Available. Offered here is a nice 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 1861 / TOWER 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. marked on the butt plate tang 1 / MASS / 33, indicating issue to the 1st Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. This is a Union regiment that saw extensive service during the war, and was at many of the most famous engagements, which include:

● The First Battle of Bull Run - July 21, 1861.
● The Second Battle of Bull Run - Aug 28, 1862 – Aug 30, 1862.
● The Battle of Fredericksburg - Dec 11, 1862 – Dec 15, 1862.
● The Battle of Chancellorsville - Apr 30, 1863 – May 6, 1863.
● The Battle of Gettysburg - Jul 1, 1863 – Jul 3, 1863.

The regiment then was a part of Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign, and would be mustered out at the end of their three year term in May 1864.

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. There is another proof mark below this, which we unfortunately cannot identify.

The gun is in very good condition, with a nice stock and patinated steel metalwork. It does show signs of past pitting and powder burn, especially near the cap bolster. 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 now measures close to 0.60, and the rifling is completely gone due to wear. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full. The rifle still has an original cleaning rod stored under the barrel. The stock is really quite lovely, showing only light wear and even some lovely figuring in the butt stock area. We did not undertake any major restoration on this rifle, though it does look like it was well cleaned at some point in the past, and afterwards the barrel bands were all put on backwards, which we have left in place.

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: 1861
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

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.