What is this? 1862 Tower

[Old Soldier]

Union acceptance or inspection marks are rare. I have studied these for decades and examined many hundreds in hand. I have never seen such a mark on the Pattern 1853 arm, although I have seen a hundred with confederate inspection or acceptance marks

There is a rumour going around that few were actually stamped. The Union marks apparently were not very deep and a good soak or two would easily lift the wood and remove them. There are not many M1861s with them either. The Confederate marks are under the stock, well battered in and better protected. The Union Enfields were a stop gap - primarily ordered to stop them ending up in rebel hands but also to replace the older European rifles and muskets. By the time they arrived, Springfield was in full flow and few were needed at the front line. Having said that, in the early days, if offered captured rebel P53s, most troops would jump at it, especially those still armed with the musket or French and Austrian rifles.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

Welcome. Learn, contribute, and ENJOY!

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I'd like to see photos of some of these Union acceptance / viewers marks on the Enfields - I've seen one photo of what the author of the English Connection thought MIGHT be a Union cartouche, three script initials in a rectangular border, overstamped with an "IC" confederate viewer mark. That one mark pictured in that book looks just like the inspector's cartouches we see on the Springfield rifle-muskets. That's the only reference I've ever seen to Union cartouches on the model 1853.

 

[Mazama]

Wow, thank you all so much! Thought the post was still pending, and here are all these wonderful comments! I will definitely go back to my dad's in a day or two to take a closer look and a few more pictures. And bring a dictionary to understand all the terms! For now thank you all again for the history lessons and discussion!

 

[Old Soldier]

I'd like to see photos of some of these Union acceptance / viewers marks on the Enfields - I've seen one photo of what the author of the English Connection thought MIGHT be a Union cartouche, three script initials in a rectangular border, overstamped with an "IC" confederate viewer mark. That one mark pictured in that book looks just like the inspector's cartouches we see on the Springfield rifle-muskets. That's the only reference I've ever seen to Union cartouches on the model 1853.

So would I. Trying to get the evidence is rather ... difficult. That is why I mentioned the 'rumour'. Once day we might find one. That is why I am on this site. You learn LOTS from it.

 

[26Intrepid]

Interesting rifle… who knows when and why those marks were added to the metal and stock. It's a great conversation piece for sure!

 

[Bass50Ga]

I don't know much about battlefield picked up arm's but at Chancellorsville my ancestors unit picked up enough Springfield and Enfields to supply their whole regiment, so did they have to get them inspected by someone?

 

[RetiredCanuck]

I don't know much about battlefield picked up arm's but at Chancellorsville my ancestors unit picked up enough Springfield and Enfields to supply their whole regiment, so did they have to get them inspected by someone?

Interesting that some units were still looking for current weapons 2 years into the war. I'm assuming a Confederate regiment?
Maybe still armed with 69 caliber smoothbores?