Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting example of a British P-1853 Style Rifled musket, manufactured in the Belgian city of Liège. During the early 1860s, many European countries were making or converting large numbers of percussion firearms. This action was clearly aimed at the Overseas market, most specifically the United States, who were embroiled in its most terrible Civil War.

At some point after manufacture, this particular P-1853 rifle was scaled down massively, converted into a somewhat unwieldy percussion pistol. The barrel was shortened to 9 1/2 inches, and the stock was cut off at the wrist. A pistol butt stock was then grafted on to the wrist, and the trigger guard bent around to match the new shape. It even has a short ramrod in the channel under the barrel.

The pistol is marked on the left side of the barrel nocks form with a faint  E / L G / * in an Oval, the standard proof mark for Liège, Belgium. The right side of the stock is also marked with initials J. W. M., most likely from the owner. There is also an ANCHOR with Opposed Letter C's surrounding it on both the lock plate and the hammer. This is a marking that is mentioned as a Confederate import marking in THE CONFEDERATE ENFIELD by Captain Steven W. Knott, U.S.N. (Ret). We did not find any other markings on this highly modified firearm.

Condition is as shown, well worn with loads of patina. The bore of the barrel shows a lot of oxidation, but there are traces of what look to be 5 groove rifling near the muzzle. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full.

A very nice interesting example of a P-1853 three band percussion rifle with a strong CSA connection, that was later converted to a pistol. Ready to display and research!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: c.1860
Caliber: .58 inches
Ammunition Type: .577 Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 9 1/2 inches 
Overall Length: 16 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.