Original Item: Only One Available. Offered here is a nice service used 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 screws are not recessed, as they would be on the "Baddeley" type bands used on the later 4th model. The rifle is really in magnificent display condition, definitely looking to have had a full restoration. The stock looks great, and the metalwork was blued, which is still very well retained.

The lock is marked 1863 / 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. The right hand side of the butt is stamped with a legible roundel stating BIRMINGHAM SMALL ARMS TRADE around the BSAT / CROWN logo, a definitive marking for an export rifle, almost all of which were intended for the Confederate market.

Most importantly, the rifle has a faint "J S / ANCHOR" stamp, used as a Confederate acceptance mark about an inch below the trigger guard tang. This marking is somewhat 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.

The barrel bears British Proof Marks, which are still crisp and clear. They are the correct Birmingham proof marks, including the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "proof" and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" marks. There is also the CROWN / BP definitive proof, and two 25 markings, indicating "25 bore" or about .571".

A similar Short Rifle edition of this same weapon, dated 1862, appears on the Cover of THE CONFEDERATE ENFIELD 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.

The 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 THE CONFEDERATE ENFIELD book.

We found no specific STATE Markings on our rifle, however conditions were often such that little time was available for such niceties upon importation. Also with the amount of service this rifle has seen, all markings on the wood stock have long since been worn away. We speculate it probably arrived in 1861-62, having been produced in 1861.

The rifle is in fantastic cosmetic condition as a result of the previous restoration, and it is complete with the rear sight, ramrod, both sling swivels, and all three barrel bands. The wood stock has a beautiful color, and there is even a good deal of "flame" figuring on the butt stock area, extending up to under the rear sight. The metalwork has all been blued, except for the lock, which is still in the original bright finish, showing overall light staining due to age. The lock is fully functional, holding correctly at half cock and releasing only at full. There are also some nice sheet brass powder burn guards around the cap bolster to protect the wood stock. The bore still shows clear three groove rifling, with some light past oxidation, so it definitely did see some degree of use while in service.

A fantastic fully restored example of a P-1853 three band percussion rifle with a strong CSA connection. Ready to display and research!

Specifications (Rifle):-

Year of Manufacture: 1863
Caliber: .58 inches
Ammunition Type: .577 Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 39 inches 
Overall Length: 55 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. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.