Original British Issued P-1853 Enfield Rifle Converted to Carbine Marked to Fredericksburg National Park – dated 1857 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Offered here is a very interesting example of the 3rd Model Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle Musket, produced in London, England, with steel butt plate, brass trigger guard and brass nose cap. At some point after that, it was cut down to carbine length, and has some extremely interesting markings on the stock and metalwork. The two steel barrel bands are held on with screw pressure, as typical of the 3rd model. The lock is marked 1857 / TOWER below the cap bolster, and it is marked with a QUEEN’S CROWN / V. R. (faint) to the rear of the hammer. This indicates military production for the British empire. There is also the correct “lock viewer’s mark” to the right of the date, though it is faint.

These markings mean that this was a rifle issued to the British military, and not one that was made for export. However after that it definitely made its way to the United States somehow, and it is marked on the lock plate with what looks to be C&R 62 on the upper right, as well as with a very small CSA below this. It is further marked L.S.M. on the tang of the trigger guard, and the left side of the butt stock has the most interesting marking of all in two arcs:

NATIONAL MILITARY PK.
FREDERICKSBURG

This would indicate it was at some point in possession of what today is known as the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, which commemorates FOUR major battles of the U.S. Civil War. We do not know if it was used for demonstrations, or on display, but it definitely looks to have seen use long after it’s original period of military service, along with significant modifications.

We can tell that it was not originally made as a carbine, as the left side lock escutcheons are “normal”, and do not have the inlet for where a saddle ring bar would be. The markings on the left side of the barrel are completely removed, and the barrel itself is also either dented in or missing a lot of material in that area. The rear sight is also a rifle style, but it is missing the sight slider. Both sling swivels are present, and there is a fitting on the front of the barrel for a swivel ramrod, but it looks to be hand made.

A very interesting British Enfield Percussion Carbine, with some great markings and modifications. Ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: 1857
Caliber: .58 inches
Ammunition Type: .577 Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 21 inches 
Overall Length: 36 1/2 inches
Action: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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