1862 Tower Enfield information

[James1971]

Recently inherited this 1862 Tower Enfield and was hoping to get as much information on it as possible since I'm new to this. I see that it does not have the "V.R." under the crown but not sure what that means or if it makes it more valuable or not. Was this used by a confederate soldier? Thank you in advance for any information y'all can give me on it.

 

[captaindrew]

Welcome to the forum from South Florida and the Reenactors Forum. Nice Enfield, that's a great inheritance. An imported Enfield would not be stamped VR, weapons for the British military would be stamped VR. You'd have to look very closely for inspectors marks to tell if it may have been Confederate but that's tough to prove. The experts will be along shortly that can help you more with that.

 

[hrobalabama]

Can you get some "close-ups" of any markings on the wood? The "25" is .577 cal. So that aside it could be CSA. Look with a magnifying glass so see any markings on the stock in front of the butt plate and underneath from the TG to the butt. Also, remove the rammer and see if there are markings in the groove of the rammer. And check the rammer below the head to see if there are marks there. Most of the P 53's marked "25" were intended to be shipped south, while those marked "24, .58 cal went to the Union. But there are always variables as many were exchanged trough capture, discards or whatever. Looks good except for TG where it looks to have been blackened and then party polished.

 

[hrobalabama]

Also, no round "BSA" mark on the trigger side of buttstock.

 

[Craig L Barry]

The stock does not have the BSAT roundel, but not all Birmingham Enfields did...it lacks the characteristic shrinking at the toe of the stock by the bottom of the buttplate which is typical of Birmingham commercial P53s. It could be restocked or a put together. I don't see anything in the images indicates specific usage by a Confederate soldier vs Union. Do you have information from the party from whom you inherited the piece that suggests any Confederate heritage?

 

[James1971]

No I don't have any information on it at all. I dont have a magnifying glass but I don't see any markings on the stock.

 

[James1971]

My daughter actually found a mark on the stock. It's very hard to see and can't really see in picture but says Birmingham small arms trade and has a crown

 

[Larryh86GT]

Welcome from WNY

 

[Craig L Barry]

Well that is where you would expect to find the Birmingham Small Arms Trade roundel.

 

[tbuckley]

Welcome from eastern Ohio.

 

[UCVRelics]

Welcome From THE Heart Of Dixie. I see our resident Enfield expert @Craig L Barry has already helped out with his knowledge.

 

[James1971]

Thank you. Any idea if the value of this one?

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy