This is a Confederate imported P53 Enfield rifled musket from the Civil War. The stock has the Crown/SH/G3 stamps forward of the butt plate tang. These are known markings that identify Confederate purchased weapons from England, appearing either on the stock comb by the butt plate tang or by the trigger guard tang. The Crown/SH/G# markings had five variations, with the number after the G being 1 - 5. Sinclair, Hamilton & Co. used five furnishers for their 2nd contract of 30,000 P53's. The number 1 corresponds to B for EP Bond, 2 F for Parker, Field & Son, 3 K for James Kerr, 4 S for Scott & Son and 5 J for CW James. The weapon measures 55" overall and has a slightly shortened 38 3/4" barrel. The bore is dark and heavily rusted, with the rifling being just visible. The exterior of the barrel is mostly dark, with some mottled dark gray and black aged spots near the muzzle. The breech and bolster area of the barrel show considerable pitting and pin pricking, indicating this one saw quite a bit of use. The front sight is the normal pinched sight found on Enfields, the rear sight is missing. This seems to be common on Confederate Enfields. The barrel proofs are the Birmingham marks, along with two sets of letters stamped into the barrel by the bolster. The upper set looks to be WD, and below KD. The lockplate has a matching dark patina. Forward of the hammer it is stamped 1862/TOWER with a crown stamped behind the hammer. The hammer locks in the half and full cock positions, but the main spring is a little weak, another sign that this rifle saw a lot of the "elephant". All three barrel bands are present, but only the rear sling swivel is still reporting. They also match the overall dark coloring of the other iron components. The brass nose cap, trigger guard and butt plate have an aged mellow golden patina. The stock has a dark, well used look about it. There is one small crack on the left stock flat, but no areas of wood loss, just a lot of dings and bruises from normal handling. On top of the stock comb forward of the butt plate tang is the Crown/SH/G3 stamp. On the left stock flat opposite the lockplate is an oval cartouche with the letters JC inside. This cartouche is associated with an unknown Confederate purchasing agent. A bird has also been carved into the stock flat, and appears to be a water fowl. There's no doubt that this Confederate Enfield was heavily used. This one will make a nice addition to your Civil War gun room!

Item # AA1117

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