Tower 1856 Dated Enfield P1853 Carbine

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This is a very unusual Tower "Enfield" P1853 Carbine. The barrel is marked with the name Henry Clive, who along with 6 other Birmingham gun makers were contracted by the British Government to produce the first batches of 1st model P1853 barrels for "set up" and final assembly. Another name that appears on both barrel and lock is " Field" . The barrel also bears the armorers mating marks, these are the roman numerals hand scored into the under side. The lock is stamped with the initials "T DUCE". Externally the lock is marked Tower 1856 with Broad arrow and Crown VR. The barrel is correctly marked with British proof stamps and and later it was marked as sold out of service (2 broad arrows facing each other). The stock is marked with British War Department stamps (WD) and "2 New". The other markings are faint but one is a date stamp of 18??. On top of the barrel you can clearly see where the original rear sight once was, and the cleaning rod has also been shortened to fit.

First model P1853s were among the first rifles to be used by the British military during the Crimean war.

The hand engraved initials in stock beneath the barrel would suggest that this carbine was converted during the US Civil war (1861 to 1865). This type of initialing was most commonly used and associated with US armorers who are known to have converted British muskets and rifles during this period.

It is certainly a very unusual carbine and is worthy of some further research. It is chambered in an obsolete calibre (.577) and can therefore be owned live without any form of license.

To order Call 01547 529093 or 05603 416575 or email sales@deactivated-guns.co.uk.

Product Code: 08

OUT OF STOCK