Collection Model 1853 Enfield from Cold Harbor

[History hoarder63]

One of my favorite and most poignant relics in my personal collection. This Model 1853 Enfield musket (pics 1,2,4) was dug on the Cold Harbor battlefield in the 1970's by the late digger/dealer John Dugan. When dug, it was discovered to be marking the grave of an unknown Confederate soldier killed most likely in the June 1864 fighting. It appears that the weapon had been damaged (broken stock at the wrist) and that is why it was left on the battlefield.

I bought this piece from a museum in North Carolina and it had been in several collections over the years. When I physically got it, I inspected the barrel with a camera and lo and behold, it is still loaded (pic 3) Being that it was not mentioned to me when I bought it nor was it mentioned in any of the documentation that was with the relic, I don't think anybody had checked it before.

 

[LafayetteCountyDigger]

That really neat I've always loved dug weapons. I had a nice Remington that was dug but I got an offer I couldn't refuse on it so I had to sell it

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

One of my favorite and most poignant relics in my personal collection. This Model 1853 Enfield musket (pics 1,2,4) was dug on the Cold Harbor battlefield in the 1970's by the late digger/dealer John Dugan. When dug, it was discovered to be marking the grave of an unknown Confederate soldier killed most likely in the June 1864 fighting. It appears that the weapon had been damaged (broken stock at the wrist) and that is why it was left on the battlefield.

I bought this piece from a museum in North Carolina and it had been in several collections over the years. When I physically got it, I inspected the barrel with a camera and lo and behold, it is still loaded (pic 3) Being that it was not mentioned to me when I bought it nor was it mentioned in any of the documentation that was with the relic, I don't think anybody had checked it before.



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A very nice display.

I like your photos of this item AND a complete one together - it helps a viewer who is not familiar with these to understand the relic.