Original U.S. Civil War Era British Enfield P-1856 Tower "East India" Percussion Cavalry Carbine with Original Sling - dated 1856

Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased at a military auction, this is a very interesting example of a British Pattern 1856 "East India Pattern" Cavalry Carbine, part of the famous P-1853 Enfield lineage of rifled muzzleloaders. As the name indicates, these were intended for cavalry use in the Indian subcontinent during the Victorian era, and were produced with a "captured" swivel ramrod with a large Palm-plate tip, as well as a sling bar with sliding rings on the left side. They also originally had three groove rifling, and a folding 2-leaf rear right.

This example is in very good service used condition, and looks to have seen use well beyond it's typical service life. This musket was found in the U.S., and with this amount of wear would be typical for a U.S. Civil war used carbine, as the British arms were highly prized on both sides, and would be used almost until destruction. The carbine is marked 1856 / TOWER on the lock plate under the percussion bolster, indicating production / acceptance in 1856 at the tower arsenal. The lock plate tail has the correct CROWN / V.R. marking for Queen Victoria, as well as the CROWNED BROAD ARROW lock viewer's mark to the right of the date. There is also a CROWN / 21 proof mark on the lock plate as well. We have seen these exact same proofs on another example dated 1857. We checked the breech end of the barrel, and due to wear there are only traces of the original British proofs visible, such as an "Arrow".

The carbine stays relatively true to the pattern, and has a 21" barrel with the "captured" swivel ramrod still intact, and an overall length of 36 1/2 inches. It still has an intact saddle ring bar, attached by the lock screws, and the saddle ring is intact as well. There are however also sling swivels fitted, one to the butt stock, and one on the upper barrel band. It looks like there was originally a sling swivel attached to the trigger guard, however the slot there is now quite worn. We checked the lock, and it is functional, holding at half cock and firing at full. The trigger pull is however VERY heavy. The bore measures out to about 0.59", and it is quite oxidized and fouled on the interior, indicating heavy use and lack of cleaning.

Overall condition shows that this carbine show long service, and the stock shows the expected wear and damage from this. We do not see any major structural damage however. There is staining from oxidation running off the metalwork, which now shows a polished gray patina from lots of cleaning. The original sling is in good shape, and looks very much like slings used during the U.S. Civil War, with brass hooks at the ends.

A very interesting British Enfield P-1856 Cavalry carbine, which very possibly saw use during the U.S. Civil War. Ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: 1856
Bore Diameter: About 0.59 inches 
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 21 inches
Overall Length: 36 1/2 inches
Action: Side Action Percussion
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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