This is an altered P58 Naval rifle that measures 48" overall and has a barrel length of 32 1/2". Barrel length was normally 33", showing that this one has been shortened by 1/2". The rear sight has also been relocated and changed. The P58 was equipped with either an 1100 yard and on rare occasions a 1250 yard sight and were located directly behind the rear barrel band. For whatever reason a P53 type I 900 yard sight has been installed on this barrel, 3 1/2" inches forward of the barrel breech. This is the usual location of the rear sight on a P53. It is common knowledge that the Confederate Ordnance Bureau repaired all weapons by any means available. The bore of this rifle is turning dark but the five lands and grooves are still very visible. The exterior of the barrel is smooth and has a chocolate brown patina. On the left side of the barrel at the muzzle are the Birmingham proof marks of a crown with script BP letters, standing for the Birmingham Provisional Proof. Next is the number 25, indicating the bore is .577 caliber. The third mark is crossed scepters with a crown in the top quadrant and the letter V in the bottom quadrant, the Birmingham view mark. The number 25 appears again, confirming the caliber of the weapon during the manufacturing process. The last stamp is another crossed scepters with a crown in the top quadrant and the letters BPC in the remaining quadrants. This stamp is the final proof mark of the Birmingham Proof House. Stamps on the bottom of the barrel from the breech plug forward are 6 on the barrel and breech plug, the letter JF, 164, C. SCOTT, and BURR. The saber bayonet lug is missing, but the barrel still bears the stamp of 165, indicating this barrel was fitted to bayonet number 165. The front sight is present. The base of the rear sight is graduated from 1 to 4 hundred yards. The ladder of the rear sight is graduated from 5 out to 900 yards. The lock plate and hammer match the patina of the barrel perfectly. The plate is marked with E P Bond./LONDON forward of the hammer. The action works fine, locking the hammer in half cock and full cock. When the trigger is depressed the hammer contacts the original nipple squarely. The barrel bands have the same dark attic patina that the rest of the iron hardware shows. It's obvious this gun has been together for a long time.The front band still retains the front sling swivel. The nose cap, trigger guard and butt plate are brass. All the brass has the same dark golden patina. The trigger guard is missing the rear sling swivel. The butt plate is not numbered or marked in any way. The stock appears to have been cleaned at some point and has a very light appearnace. It has the normal bumps and dings from 157 years of handling. There are no cartouches visible. The ramrod for this one has gone MIA. Even though the rear sling swivel and ramrod are absent, this is still a very desirable example of an extremely scarce rifle. If you collect Civil War long arms, chances are you don't have one of these. Act now, it won't last long!

Item # AA911

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