Original British Enfield Two Band Short Rifle Converted Robert’s Patent 1867 Breechloader – dated 1863 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is very interesting, and certainly something that we have not had before! While we have had two examples of the rare Springfield Model 1863 Robert’s Patent 1867 conversions, we have never had a British Enfield Rifled musket converted in a similar fashion. In the late 1860s like the United States, the British were looking for ways to move to a breech-loading system, and hopefully one that could be used to convert previously made “Rifled Muskets” to the same configuration.

The design that was settled on became the Pattern 1866 Snider-Enfield rifle, based on the design by American Jacob Snider. However, the development and improvements to the design took several years, during which time other competing designs attempted to catch the attention of the British Military. This converted example started life in 1863 as a .577 caliber two band ENFIELD Percussion Short Rifle model of P-1856. The lock is plate stamped with a “CROWN” on the tail and 1863 / ENFIELD, indicating manufacture at the Royal Small Arms factory at Enfield. Of note is that there is no “V.R.” monogram or lock viewer’s marking, so this rifle was made for the private market, and not a military issued example. These would have been easily obtainable for the purpose of trials.

The Robert’s Patent 1867 system is actually a type of “falling-block” action, similar to the Martini-Henry. The breech is accessed by raising a lever behind the tang that can only be fully opened with the hammer in the fired position. This drops the breech block into the stock, allowing a cartridge to be inserted from the rear. The action is then closed and locked, and the rifle can then be cocked and fired. Patent marking ROBERT’S PAT. / JUNE.11.1867 is visible on the left hand side of the receiver.

The whole rifle is in very good collector’s condition, with a lovely glow to the wooden stock. It does show repairs, and definitely some damage from service ,especially on the left side by the lock screws. The barrel has standard three grove rifling and the bore shows clear lands and grooves, though the bore is somewhat dark from fouling and oxidation. The metalwork has a lovely worn blued finish, and the rifle still has the original cleaning rod and both sling swivels present. The breech functions correctly, and the lock properly holds at half cock, firing at full. We did notice that the receiver tang screw is not present, but it does not seem to affect the stability for display purposes.

A very rare and interesting Robert’s Patent 1867 Breechloading rifle, originally made at ENFIELD. In lovely condition and ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1863 – Converted Later
Caliber: .58 inches
Ammunition Type: .577 Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 30.75 inches
Overall Length: 50 inches
Action: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Trapdoor Breech Single Shot

More on the P-1853 Rifle-Musket: The Enfield Pattern 1853 rifle-musket (also known as the Pattern 1853 Enfield, P53 Enfield, and Enfield rifle-musket) was a .577 calibre Minié-type muzzle-loading rifle-musket, used by the British Empire from 1853 to 1867, after which many Enfield 1853 rifle-muskets were converted to (and replaced in service by) the cartridge-loaded Snider-Enfield rifle.

The term “rifle-musket” originally referred to muskets with the smooth-bored barrels replaced with rifled barrels. The length of the barrels were unchanged, allowing the weapons to be fired by rank, since a long rifle was necessary to enable the muzzles of the second rank of soldiers to project beyond the faces of the men in front. The weapon would also be sufficiently long when fitted with a bayonet to be effective against cavalry. Such guns manufactured with rifled barrels, muzzle loading, single shot, and utilizing the same firing mechanism, also came to be called rifle-muskets.

The 39 in (99 cm) barrel had three grooves, with a 1:78 rifling twist, and was fastened to the stock with three metal bands, so that the rifle was often called a “three band” model. After several years, the Pattern 1856 Short Rifle was designed as the Pattern 1856, and various other models came afterwards to fill various different needs.

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.