Muzzleldrs P53 Enfield questions

Lee Craig

Private
Joined
Jul 29, 2017
Bought this a few years back in Jacksonville Florida and it’s a nice Enfield but was curious as to whether it was CSA or Union.
The parts are marked as follows:
BARREL
Henry Clive was the barrel maker stamped in the metal
Henry Clive Gun Barrel Works
94 Baggot St. Birmingham England 1838-1869
The other stamps are the typical 25s for the caliber
and two number 102’s by the breech plug and barrel along with the number
434, TH and RWH on the barrel. On the top of the barrel by the breech plug where it lines up with a mark there are the initials T & LC next to the lineup marks SIGHT
Stamped with initials PW&S
STOCK
Stamped with the Birmingham Cartouche
and below the trigger guard is engraved - R. Heath in the mortise
There are two small designs just below the trigger guard that I can’t make out. LOCK
On the outside is the typical Tower 1863 and the crown behind the lock.
Stamped inside the lockplate with RWH, WP,
and just below the top part of the mainspring on
the inside of the lock are the words Tipping & Lawden.
RAMROD SPOON
Has a P stamped on it.
Any information is gratefully received and deeply appreciated.
I have fired this rifle on one range trip and love it!
Thank you in advance for any consideration!

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Thank you. It’s got some scars and burnt wood around the nipple but I am a fan.
They will chime in. BTW Craig wrote books below and LP has the finest Enfield collection there is IMHO
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The hammer is from a modern Armi Sport reproduction Enfield, and it really shows how much smaller these reproduction hammers are compared to originals. I am surprised that it fit on the arbor shaft. It can be an adventure finding an original replacement that fits, but that is what I would recommend. Other than that, what I see is pretty much a garden variety commercially produced P53 Enfield of the sort used all over the world in the mid-1860s. I don't see any kind of markings that necessarily tie it to US or CS usage.
 
Recommendation:
Having been there before, I can tell you that unless you have a box full of original hammers you are in for a tough time and considerable expense finding one that fits just proceeding by trial and error. These were handmade parts and there was usually some fitting involved in final assembly. I would consider sending the lock assembly to Lodgewood Mfg and inquire if they can fit an original hammer to your lock assembly.
 
Craig,
I appreciate your input on this. My younger brother is a gunsmith as a hobby and does everything from building to repairs. He has metal lathes to mig welders(you name it) and is a millwright as a profession. Do you think this would be beyond his ken?
I am not adverse to taking your advice but if I could find a hammer that’s original it may set my mind to rest knowing I repaired it correctly. Do you think it’s a waste of money in your professional opinion?
Thank you in advance for YOUR time and input. I could talk about old weapons forever and don’t want to test your patience!
 
Craig,
I appreciate your input on this. My younger brother is a gunsmith as a hobby and does everything from building to repairs. He has metal lathes to mig welders(you name it) and is a millwright as a profession. Do you think this would be beyond his ken?
I am not adverse to taking your advice but if I could find a hammer that’s original it may set my mind to rest knowing I repaired it correctly. Do you think it’s a waste of money in your professional opinion?
Thank you in advance for YOUR time and input. I could talk about old weapons forever and don’t want to test your patience!
I remember once I tried to replace a hammer on a W. Sargant & Sons made Birmingham P53, the arbor shaft was shaped like a diamond and every hammer I could find was more or less square. Even if they are not off that dramatically it can cause the lock geometry to be off and for example, the hammer will not reach the cone kind of like the repro hammer you have. I suppose depending on the metal working skills of the gunsmith, he could work with it and fit the part within reason. It is purely up to you though. It takes a bit of luck to find one that is a good fit without some work.
 
Depending on where you're located your best bet would be to try a Civil War relic show so you could fit the parts in person. No guarantee that you would find one on the first try, but it is a good option. Alternatively, you might inquire with Lodgewood Manufacturing about their current supply of Enfield hammers. If they have a good stock it might be worth shipping the gun to them to see if they have a hammer with a tolerable fit. As long as the have something relatively close David could cut, bend, and fill a hammer to match.
 
Depending on where you're located your best bet would be to try a Civil War relic show so you could fit the parts in person. No guarantee that you would find one on the first try, but it is a good option. Alternatively, you might inquire with Lodgewood Manufacturing about their current supply of Enfield hammers. If they have a good stock it might be worth shipping the gun to them to see if they have a hammer with a tolerable fit. As long as the have something relatively close David could cut, bend, and fill a hammer to match.
I agree, Dave at Lodgewood is darn good at what he does.
 
Thanks all! I (of course) have more questions. What are these marks next to the trigger guard? Is that a Sinclair Hamilton mark or something? I have tried to get decent photos but this is about as good as I can get:

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