Muzzleldrs P53 alteration

vmicraig

Sergeant
Joined
Mar 12, 2018
Location
London, England
I picked up an inexpensive three-band Enfield at auction knowing it had some major flaws, the most glaring being the bolster/drum modification. Why in the world would this have been done? Normally, I’ve only seen this on converted flintlocks....thoughts?

The seller claimed this was a confederate import. Of course, Im always skeptical on anything claiming to be CS, although the barrel markings match. However, the JS inspector stamp behind the trigger guard appears fake. There is a double strike S next to it, which is confusing, too. Seller had no explanation where the anchor stamp that is normally seen with the initials was other than it had been obliterated. I’m not sure I can see any such evidence that one even existed. I’d consider it a poor forgery. Agree?

I didn’t spend much, but still wanted it simply as a wall hanger. I’m not buying the story that it’s a import to the south, but please tell me if you disagree. My guess - a pieces parts rebuild from Bannermans or the like? Inside of the lock plate has no visible markings and aside from a U on a barrel band, no other visible markings

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I don't know if it is due to heavy sanding or what, but the area of the stock around the lock and opposite of it don't even appear to have the profile of an Enfield stock at all. Can you provide photos that show a larger overall view?
Here you go...when I look at it, it seems the buttstock doesnt have the same slant as my authenticated P53 and the fore-end looks shorter maybe? I need to break out a measuring tape.


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Thanks for the additional photos. I think you can rest assured that the markings are fake simply based upon how heavily the stock has been sanded, no way any original markings survived. Tbuckley hit the nail on the head about the hammer. I think his explanation for the odd barrel makes more sense than anything I can come up with.
 
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