{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-era-private-purchase-british-p-1853-enfield-three-band-percussion-rifle-dated-1863","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Era Private Purchase British P-1853 Enfield Three Band Percussion Rifle dated 1863","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOffered here is a very nice example of the 3rd Model Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle Musket as produced in Birmingham, England\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTOWER \/ 1863\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e below the cap bolster, and it is marked with a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQUEEN'S CROWN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis rifle is in used but nice condition and a \"ghost\" of an \"ANCHOR\" stamp used as a Confederate acceptance mark directly in front of the butt plate tang. This ghost is very hard to discern and unless you were aware of where it should be would most likely be overlooked. This marking was for JOHN SOUTHGATE Chief CS viewer\/proofer for the Confederate English trade. In 1861 has mark was \"J.S. over an ANCHOR\" which he used until mid 1863, thereafter he used \"Anchor over \"S\" for last half of 1863, 1864 and up until the surrender in April 1865. Photographs of these markings appear in book referred to below on page 12.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Barrel bears British Proof Marks and a number \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e25\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and the wood butt stock is very faintly stamped with a rondel, but we cannot read it. However compared to another example we had, we can tell it was once marked:-  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBIRMINGHAM SMALL ARMS TRADE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in a circle around a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrown\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e over the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB.S.A.T.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e logo. It is towards the very rear of the butt stock, exactly where our other example had it, and it was also an 1863 Tower example. This example unfortunately is missing both sling swivels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e An identical Short Rifle edition of this same weapon, dated 1862, appears on the Cover of \u003cem\u003eTHE CONFEDERATE ENFIELD\u003c\/em\u003e by Captain Steven W. Knott, U.S.N. (Ret). with a write up on pages 44 and 45. In addition there is a photograph of the proof marks of this known Confederate Soldier's Rifle on the Title page of the book which are completely identical to those on this weapon. This excellent book states that the Confederate Buying Agents, Josiah Gorgas and Caleb Huse purchased over 350,000 European Rifles between 1861 and 1865, over 250,000 of these were the Percussion Enfield Rifled Muskets and 100,000 were Austrian Percussion arms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Union also imported Enfields which were highly prized by Federal soldiers more so than the Union made arms apparently. The Confederacy however contracted for the greater number, which in most cases were transported by \"BLOCKADE RUNNERS\" based in Bermuda. Well documented in the \u003cem\u003eTHE CONFEDERATE ENFIELD\u003c\/em\u003e book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe found no specific STATE Markings on our rifle, however after 1863 conditions were such that little time was available for such niceties upon importation. The Blockade runner's hay day were in the early years of the war 1861 and 1862 however Caleb Huse was busy right up to 1865 when the last shipment arrived early that year.  So we are hanging our hat on this possibly being a CONFEDERATE Rifle on the clear absence of the \"V.R.\" on the lock plate and the ghost of an ANCHOR stamping in front of the butt tang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever you will notice that this rifle has a replaced hammer almost certainly fitted in it's wartime active life. This hammer is of GERMAN PATTERN and manufacture and very different in design. Had this weapon been anywhere else, in the British Colonies or in the Union States replacing the hammer with the correct British model would not be a problem. However in the Confederacy German and Austrian Muskets and parts were very common and true Enfield 1853 parts extremely scarce, so it logically could have served on the South's side during the War. The wood is complete showing only a couple of age cracks and general wear with the metalwork showing old light rust pitting overall. The sight slider is missing as well, though the bore still shows clear three-groove rifling. Lock holds correctly at half cock, firing at full cock, though the spring is a bit weak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe suspect that this particular rifle really was a Confederate issue for the reasons stated however we offer this very interesting item, ready to display for only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1863\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 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\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29458508185669,"sku":"ONSV3531","price":1595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV3531__01.jpg?v=1596476951","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-era-private-purchase-british-p-1853-enfield-three-band-percussion-rifle-dated-1863","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}