Guns International #: 102203891
Seller's Inventory #: 226513

Category - Civil War Rifles - Enfield Rifles

Category
Civil War Rifles
Enfield Rifles

CIVIL WAR Antique CONFEDERATE Enfield Pattern 1858 .60 SHORT Rifle-Musket Smoothbore 2-BAND with AFGHAN “BRING BACK” PAPER

Description:
CIVIL WAR Antique CONFEDERATE Enfield Pattern 1858 .60 SHORT Rifle-Musket

Smoothbore 2-BAND with AFGHAN “BRING BACK” PAPER

Here we present an antique Civil War-era Percussion Enfield Pattern 1858 “Short” Rifle-Musket, made in England in 1860. The Pattern 1858 has sometimes erroneously been considered as just a shorter version of the Pattern 1853. The Pattern 1858’s rifling has 5 grooves and a faster 1:48 twist, along with a heavy barrel, making it much more accurate than the 1853. Because of these advantages, during tests conducted by the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in 1862 it was selected as the “issue” arm for the Army of Northern Virginia Sharpshooter Battalions when it was available. When supplies of the P-58 ran out, Confederate Sharpshooters were issued regular P-53 Enfields.

One of the caveats was for the P-58 to have its best accuracy, British ammunition had to be used. Caleb Huse, the Confederate arms purchasing agent in Liverpool purchased and shipped to the Confederacy Enfield Pritchett cartridges made by Eley, so when possible, Confederate Sharpshooters were supplied with these cartridges. Confederate arsenals were also making Enfield cartridges and used this early Pritchett bullet design because it was simple to make, though not as accurate as the Eley cartridges.

Interestingly, the British NRA, founded in 1859, conducted target matches all over the British Isles in the 1860s that were open to members of the regular British Army and civilian “volunteers” (militia members). The standing rule was that because the Pattern 1858 was so accurate, to “level the playing field”, any competitor that used a P-58 in match competition had 10% of his final score deducted!

The Enfield Pattern 1853 and Pattern 1858 rifle-muskets were used by both the North and the South in the American Civil War and was the second most widely used infantry weapon in the war, surpassed only by the Springfield Model 1861 Rifled Musket. The Confederates imported more Enfields during the course of the war than any other small arm, buying from private contractors and gun runners. It has been estimated that over 900,000 P53 Enfields were imported into America and saw service in every major engagement of the war. The P-1853 was Britain’s adopted rifle from 1853 until the Snider system was adopted to transform arms into breech-loaders.

This example has “Crown/VR” and “1860/TOWER” marked on the lock. It includes a U.S. Armed Forces affidavit “bring back” paper from Bagram, Afghanistan dated August 17, 2016 listing this rifle by make, model, and manufacture date.

The overall condition is good. Strong action. The bore is in good shape. Solid stock. This example is well-used and a cartouche remains on the right buttstock. Legible markings. “1860/TOWER” and “crown/VR” marked lock.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 33 inches.

Caliber: .60 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

ancestryguns

$1500

#226513
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes