I purchased this 1863 tower musket. The guy had no information about it. I was curious to see if it was really from 1863 but the markings on it don't seem to add up. Anybody ever seen these markings and can tell me what I have?
Thank you for your reply. I was thinking the same thing but I don't know enough about proof marks. I was curious if it is something or nothingWelcome, enjoy. Not an expert , but Crown doesn't look correct. The other proof marks don't appear to be English . I'll did in books later. Mr. Barry or others will have your answer when they check in.
Package4 The bottom of the Crown on the lock plate appears to have an oval under the crown. All the photos in "The English Connection" it shows as straight across ??The underside barrel marking is correct as a British Barrel Maker from Rose Brothers, the lock markings are consistent with a typical Tower of 1863. The markings on the upper barrel are puzzling and do not appear as made for the US/CS market due to the lack of gauge markings of 25 or 24. No broad arrow markings for the British army........
The G in a box was indicative of an exporter to the Confederacy, William Grazebrook, of Liverpool, but he was denied additional business after his first contract in 1861 for unscrupulous practices. The marking was typically not on the barrel, but on shipping cases.
Stock markings may be able to help as well, are there any?
They could have added a new chapter about the various "Crown" markings alone; the 1863 Enfields that I have seen, have a more pronounced oval, in fact page 189 of that wonderful work shows the oval on the Wilson rifle (Tower 1863)Package4 The bottom of the Crown on the lock plate appears to have an oval under the crown. All the photos in "The English Connection" it shows as straight across ??
So no marks in ram rod channel or on underside of stock either by trigger guard or butt flat? Look in the barrel channel as well.I agree that it does not look like the marking's of the period. The only other marking was at the front of the stock.
I would say that with these additional markings, you have an original Enfield in all respects, though the piece remains a mystery as to whom it was intended. I'll continue to ask various sources to see if we might shed light on your mysterious weapon.Looked over the gun carefully. No other markings on the stock. Uploaded a few more markings I found. I believe that that is all that are on this gun.
Thanks for the replies!
Thank you, for all of your help, I really appreciate it.I would say that with these additional markings, you have an original Enfield in all respects, though the piece remains a mystery as to whom it was intended. I'll continue to ask various sources to see if we might shed light on your mysterious weapon.