A .790 CALIBRE PERCUSSION CHINESE CONTRACT PATTERN

A .790 CALIBRE PERCUSSION CHINESE CONTRACT PATTERN 1842/51 RIFLE MUSKET, 39inch sighted rifled barrel fitted with ramp and ladder rear sights, Ordnance and proof markings to left side of the breech, Chinese characters and the serial no. 2810 to the right side, border engraved lock stamped 1855 over TOWER and with a crown over VR at the tail, full stocked, the butt stamped with BO marks and Chinese characters, regulation brass mounts, steel ramrod, complete with socket bayonet by SALTER & CO. The bayonet catch would suggest a P51 but the bore and lock plate a P42.