Original U.S. Civil War Era 3rd Model P-1853 Enfield Commercial Percussion Rifle by Barnett of London with Figured Stock

Original Item: Only One Available. Offered here is a beautiful example of a 3rd Model Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle Musket, as produced in England with brass butt plate, trigger guard and nose cap. It has been fully cleaned and restored to put it in its best light, and features a fantastic figured stock, something we rarely see on these guns. The three steel barrel bands are held on with screw pressure, as typical of the 3rd model. The later "4th" model would switch to "Baddeley" bands with recessed screws that could not catch on uniforms or field gear.

The lock plate is marked by maker BARNETT / LONDON, with a "CROWN" on the tail over TOWER. Thomas Barnett started work in London in 1750 until 1800 when the firm became Barnett & Son. In 1835 the firm was named "John Barnett & Sons" and from 1875 until 1900 "Edward Barnett & Sons" An English gun making dynasty that enjoyed many government contracts as well as from the East India Company and the Hudson's Bay Company. The barrel bears the correct British Proof Markings of the CROWN / GP (Gunmaker’s Proof) and CROWN / V (Viewed) markings from the London Gun company, though they are faded from cleaning. We did not see any bore measurement marking, but there are some vise marks on the barrel, indicating it may have had the breech plug pulled at some point.

While the lock plate is marked with a Crown, there is no V.R. marking or other military proofs, indicating that the rifle was made for the commercial market. We have seen several examples by Barnett previously that were used for early breech loading designs such as the Robert's breech loader, so they seem to have mostly been kept domestically. However, it is always possible that some were purchased and exported to the United States, who were embroiled in its most terrible Civil War. We did not see any state or import markings, just some numbers stamped into the side of the stock (41) and the tang of the butt plate (61).

The gun is in very good condition, with a lovely figured stock and cleaned metalwork with a lovely polished patina. It definitely shows signs of use and wear consistent with service but was cleaned to put it in its best light. The rear sight is intact with the sight cap still present, though the slider is missing, and the rifle still has both sling swivels, while the ramrod is a more recent replacement. We checked the bore, and it still shows strong three groove rifling, though there is overall past fouling and oxidation, now removed. The cap nipple cone shows wear from oxidation and powder burn, and is protected by a lead protector, which is most likely aftermarket.

A very nice example of a P-1853 three band export percussion rifle with a potential Civil War connection. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: c.1863
Caliber: .58 inches
Ammunition Type: .577 Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 39 inches 
Overall Length: 54 inches
Action: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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