1861 DATED TOWER CROWN CIVIL WAR USED RIFLE
This rifle is a British Enfield 1861 pattern rifle-musket that was made or assembled at the Tower of London, England, in 1861. The crown denotes British government ownership. This pattern firearm had the distinction of being the second most widely used infantry arm of the American Civil War. Enfields were imported in large quantities by both the North and the South and saw service in every major battle from Shiloh in April 1862 to the final engagements in 1865. It was well made and deadly accurate. An important consideration from an American standpoint was its .577 caliber that allowed the use of the same ammunition made for the .58-cal. arms that were standard in both the United States and Confederate States armies. It is estimated that thousands of Enfields were brought to this continent between 1861 and 1865. Most were expressly made for the American market. (American Rifleman) This example has the crown and dated 1861 Tower. It is a standard 3-band rifle with military rear sight and full length walnut stock. Barrel measures 39". Caliber is .577. This rifle has 86 1 carved into the left side of stock which would indicate a unit. be it Union or Confederate. The metal is a smooth brown patina with sharp legends. The stock has usual dings but still in excellent condition. The rifling is thin but fully visible. Action works fine. A very probably battle used Enfield in very good all original condition. A
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This rifle is a British Enfield 1861 pattern rifle-musket that was made or assembled at the Tower of London, England, in 1861. The crown denotes British government ownership. This pattern firearm had the distinction of being the second most widely used infantry arm of the American Civil War. Enfields were imported in large quantities by both the North and the South and saw service in every major battle from Shiloh in April 1862 to the final engagements in 1865. It was well made and deadly accurate. An important consideration from an American standpoint was its .577 caliber that allowed the use of the same ammunition made for the .58-cal. arms that were standard in both the United States and Confederate States armies. It is estimated that thousands of Enfields were brought to this continent between 1861 and 1865. Most were expressly made for the American market. (American Rifleman) This example has the crown and dated 1861 Tower. It is a standard 3-band rifle with military rear sight and full length walnut stock. Barrel measures 39". Caliber is .577. This rifle has 86 1 carved into the left side of stock which would indicate a unit. be it Union or Confederate. The metal is a smooth brown patina with sharp legends. The stock has usual dings but still in excellent condition. The rifling is thin but fully visible. Action works fine. A very probably battle used Enfield in very good all original condition. A
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