1862 tower

[muffy]

Looking for any info i can get on this 1862 tower rifle. Has no serial numbers has the crown stamped on it also 1862 tower
near the butt of gun is a Birmingham stamped into the wood. Any info would be good. I have been told no serial mark it is a repo then was also told that it wouldn't have a serial mark..

 

[Dbackfed29]

Closer pictures are going to be necessary.

 

[Grayrock Volunteer]

It's a reproduction. Post some closer photos and someone can probably tell you who made it.

 

[muffy]

I was told because ot is English I doesn't have serial numbers

 

[Old Soldier]

Good photos of the breech area, lock and anything on the butt are essential. BTW - Serials - none of these bore serials when produced. Only the second contract - three batches of 10,000 rifles - had 'serials' - numbers on the tang of the buttplate. They are quite rare and nearly all dated 1861.

 

[muffy]

I will take some pics and send when I get home from work

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[Conquerordie]

Zooming in on the pics looks like a reproduction

 

[muffy]

Zooming in on the pics looks like a reproduction

Any idea on value

 

[JackADriscoll]

Repro depends a lot on brand etc etc but id say auction value 500-750 In the median range. Some higher some lower

 

[Trooper "D"]

Any idea on value

If it is a quality weapon and not all beat up you may have something of value. Pakistani and Indian produced copies are going for fairly high prices considering they are often POS quality. Look into what repro muskets are going for new. Gauge your estimate on news repros and used repros that you research. I don't know what you paid for it but repro muskets and refurbished originals from an old armory cache' of foreign service British weapons found some 20 years ago are asking right around a grand. There is a chap on the events thread who just recently did this first reenactment up in Washington. He's gonna need a long arm and bayonet. Go hit him up if you want to seal it. A suggestion only. Ebay is another option. It all depends on the quality of your piece.
Good luck!
Cheers!

 

[muffy]

Yea I know absolutely nothing about guns found in closet after friend passed. One place said was authentic another gun place said was a repo from Spain or Italy around 1880s and another said they were unsure because not all guns have serial numbers back then.

 

[Grayrock Volunteer]

Yea I know absolutely nothing about guns found in closet after friend passed. One place said was authentic another gun place said was a repo from Spain or Italy around 1880s and another said they were unsure because not all guns have serial numbers back then.

Based on the shape of the bolster it is an Italian reproduction made in the last ~50ish years. The fact that the lock says Tower indicates it has been at least partially defarbed to make its appearance more consistent with an original. It is possible that the lock could be an original, but more likely it has been polished, restamped, and re-case colored, since the hammer is definitely a reproduction.
The serial number is probably on the underside of the barrel. Restamping it in an out of the way location is also typical of defarbing.

It is worth around $1,000.

 

[Old Soldier]

Yea I know absolutely nothing about guns found in closet after friend passed. One place said was authentic another gun place said was a repo from Spain or Italy around 1880s and another said they were unsure because not all guns have serial numbers back then.

One quick way to find out if it is a modern shooting replica is to look about an inch in front of the standing breech. If there is a visible join there (usually quite flush) it is a repro - the barrel is made in three parts instead of two and most, if not all, are serialled. British Enfields never were.

Some folk buy a old shot-out one and 'age' it! BTW - The Spanish and Italians did not produce Enfield P53s in the 1880s - but the Belgians did!

The other 'repros' are usually Indian or Afghan copies and are harder to spot. Many Civil War rifles were shortened - 'sporterised' - due to barrel wear or just plain convenience. This applies to ALL surplus rifles including the ones sold on from European armies in Europe. The usual giveaway is the 'long-barrel' sight not the dedicated carbine backsight - or the rather smooth rectangle on the barrel where it used to be.