Tell me more! 1853 Enfield markings?

Kyle Kalasnik

First Sergeant
Joined
Aug 3, 2014
Location
Potter County, PA
Good evening,

I just recently purchased this from Lodgewood. Would anyone have an idea what the markings mean. Thank you in advance.

Respectfully,
Kyle Kalasnik
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25-25 = .577 caliber
Had the Crown had VR under it, it would have belonged to Victoria Regent (Queen Victoria) and it would have been British military and not to be sold or exported.
1862 the year of manufacture
Tower supposedly means a weapon of military quality, though many believe that it really means very little.
There will also be proof marks on the weapon showing that it was inspected.
Click on the search tab in the upper right corner and put in Tower Enfield and you will be able to see other threads on this subject.
The real Enfield experts should be along shortly and they will give you the straight scoop about your nice piece.
 
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College Hill Arsenal does a really nice job of telling the story of their arms and they keep the sold items on the site. Makes a great reference to learn about your arm. Numbers with proofs are a sign of a Birmingham built rifle. No V.R. by the crown most likely means commercial sale, not government order. Check for names and markings stamped into the stock, ramrod channel etc. Check the lock and everything metal. Tons of little tidbits that will help you ID your rifle better.

Start here and enjoy.

 
25-25 = .577 caliber
Had the Crown had VR under it, it would have belonged to Victoria Regent (Queen Victoria) and it would have been British military and not to be sold or exported.
1862 the year of manufacture
Tower supposedly means a weapon of military quality, though many believe that it really means very little.
There will also be proof marks on the weapon showing that it was inspected.
Click on the search tab in the upper right corner and put in Tower Enfield and you will be able to see other threads on this subject.
The real Enfield experts should be along shortly and they will give you the straight scoop about your nice piece.
Thanks so much for the information!
 
College Hill Arsenal does a really nice job of telling the story of their arms and they keep the sold items on the site. Makes a great reference to learn about your arm. Numbers with proofs are a sign of a Birmingham built rifle. No V.R. by the crown most likely means commercial sale, not government order. Check for names and markings stamped into the stock, ramrod channel etc. Check the lock and everything metal. Tons of little tidbits that will help you ID your rifle better.

Start here and enjoy.

Thanks for the website!
 
Kyle,
You need to take a good look for marks {symbols, names, stamps} in the stock. Some of them may be as small as a dime.
Concentrate on the left flat opposite the lock, the top of the butt in front of the butt plate tang, along the belly; both near the butt plate and directly behind the trigger plate.

The 5 marks on the breech are standard Birmingham caliber, proof and inspection stamps.

The Confederate marks are well known, and with luck you may find one.
 
Check inside the lockplate too, especially near/beneath the spring. The maker of the lock is usually stamped in there somewhere. Ditto...check the bottom of the barrel, near the breech plug (back end of barrel). Post pics of whatever you find and various people can tell you more about the manufacturer(s). Most parts were made by a large variety of manufacturers, then hand-fitted and assembled into one gun.

Enjoy the process of discovery! it's kind of exciting, don't you think?!
 
Finally had a chance to take some photos. Looked all over the thing, with a fine toothed comb for other markings and proofs. Nothing.

Called and spoke to the very nice gentleman who runs College Hill Arsenal, we went over everything. No marks were hiding.

So both of our conclusions lead us to believe that it is a Civil War rifle rifled musket, no way to tell for sure if it was a Confederate one.

Oh well, I still love it.
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Thats a KEEPER.
 
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