Guns International #: 102892439

Category - Antique Rifles - Percussion - Enfield Rifles

Category
Antique Rifles - Percussion
Enfield Rifles

Enfield Model 1856/1858 Short (“Bar & Band") Rifle With Bayonet

Description:
The P-1856 was the first “short rifle” in the new .577 calibre family of muskets made for the British Army. The long three band rifle musket which was used by the regular line infantry was introduced in 1853 as the P-1853. The P-1856 was intended to be issued to all sergeants of Line Regiments, the Rifle Brigade and the 60th Regiment, the Cape Mounted Rifles and the Royal Canadian Rifles. Unlike the 3 band P-1853 that had a 39” barrel and was called a "rifle musket", the 2 band P-1856, with a 33” barrel, was called a "short rifle" or just a "rifle". The P-1856 replaced the old Baker and Brunswick rifles which were used in the British Army prior to the adoption of the minié system. The decision was made to “compensate for its short length” with a long sword bayonet in a “Yataghan” curved blade configuration. When initially produced in 1856, the bottom mortise channel on the bayonet was intended to slide onto a lug mounted on the forward surface of the barrel.   But this did not prove quite stable enough to satisfy. So, the lug was redesigned into a longer bar shape and installed as a part of a reinforced front rifle band. Once this change was introduced in 1858, the rifle became known as “the Bar and Band Rifle”.
The P-1856/1858 rifle was only made during the period 1856 through 1858. While records are incomplete, it appears this rifle was not made in great numbers and was exclusively produced by private manufacturers in the British isles. Even less examples of the bayonet designated for the rifle were produced, and those only by private manufacturers in England and Germany. Because of the gun’s compactness and accuracy, it became a bit of the rage for militia units throughout the British Isles who competed with the army for the limited supply available.
As to the gun now for sale....
The gun for sale has ”J D Dougall, Glassgow” stamped on the lock plate. He was a gunmaker notable enough in his craft to have the patronage of both the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh. His factory was located in Glasgow but he also maintain sales offices in Edinburgh and London. While there are additional marks on this barrel, none reflect this gun was ever acquired by the  British Army or any militia unit.  There is a marking on the gun which points to a different acquisition. On the right rear exposed side of the barrel appears the stamp “Royal Bank No. 6”. Since there was then only one bank in the UK known as the “Royal” bank it is clear the marking refers to the Royal Bank of Scotland. The following is the story that lies behind this mark.

The Royal Bank of Scotland was chartered in 1727 in Edinburgh, but in 1783 opened its first branch in the fast growing trading city of Glasgow. When they opened that branch, those who administered the Bank were mindful of the heightened need for security after the devastating Gordon Riots three year earlier. In June, 1780, thousands of people in great mobs,seized with anti catholic sentiment, roamed the streets of London, destroying both public and private buildings and assaulting citizens. There was no real police force capable of suppressing the violence and officials delayed in calling on the military for aid. Several days into the riots a mob of thousands attacked the Bank of England, intended to loot and destroy it. Only the last minute intervention of summoned army and militia units saved the Bank from total destruction.  Following these events of June, 1780, both the Bank of England and the Royal Bank of Scotland created their own armed military security forces to protect their operations. Both national banks would maintain similar such security forces for the next 200 plus years.  Each Bank established private security detachments called the “Bank Guard” or “Picquet” (pronounced picket).  These units provided security inside and outside all bank branches, both day and night, and transported money and other valuables between branches. The men of these units were well disciplined, trained and led, with members typically selected from the best men of local militias. They were uniformed in military fashion and kept armed and proficient with the latest weapons available.The Royal Bank of Scotland maintains an historical archive, with a collection and director. Shortly after purchasing this gun in 2011, I sent pictures to the then director and called to discuss the marking on the barrel. She advised me of the historical back drop I have related. She also confirmed that she had examples of the same model gun similarly stamped in her archives, that they had been used during the 1850’s and 1860’s by the Royal Bank’s corps of bank guards, and the “No. 6” simply indicated the Bank’s particular inventory number at the time.
As to the gun itself…
This gun has the same rifling twist, progressive rifling depth and number of riflings as the P-53. The bore on this gun is bright and the rifling remains well defined. The lock and trigger are in good operating condition. The gun has its original unique ramrod and chained nipple protector in good condition. The exterior metal surfaces are all clean with only normal gray patina and no rust. The lock stamp is relatively crisp as are the marks underneath the barrel. The Bank stamp on the exterior of the barrel is fainter but still clearly legible.  The stock is solid with no firing gouges at the tang, throat splits or other integrity defects. There are some minor dings and scratches on the stock, onl natural for the age and service of the weapon. The finish on the furniture is original and remains in good condition.
…And as to the bayonet…
If not the first assignment of the Yataghan style blade to a British military arm, the one assigned to the P-1856/1858 was certainly one of the first, and this style continued to be used with various British arms, most notably the Matini Henri, for another some 50 years.  The bayonet had a blade 23” long, designed for slashing. Like the gun, the bayonet to fit the P-1856/1858 was made only by private manufacturers, and then only in Britain and Germany only, and then only in few numbers. The gun now for sale did not come with a bayonet when it was purchased in 2011. However, I managed to later procure one of these bayonet unicorns from a separate source. According to the view mark appearing at the ricasso, “[Crown]/S/8” ,  the bayonet was produced in Solingen, Germany where it was inspected by a British military inspector, which indicated the bayonet was intended for a military application. The number “261” stamped into the  pommel, would appear to indicate a number assigned among a regimental unit issuance of bayonets, but no army or militia mark appears above that number to identify a particular unit. This bayonet has a screw rather than rivet holding the spring release for the mortise slot. That feature indicates that it was part of a later date production designed for the 1858 bar and band support system. When placed on the rifle now being sold, which has that 1858 mounting system, the lug on the bar will not slide all the way into the mortise slot, and if it could do so the inside of the muzzle round diameter would be ever so slightly to small to allow the bayonet to seat properly. This is hardly surprising. When this rifle and bayonet were made, England was way behind Eli Whitney and the other American gun makers in the matter of parts standardization. The Crown's armory only started its interchangeable parts efforts in 1854 and it would be years before the legacy of individual British craftsmanship yielded to standardization of rifle parts. Accordingly, as of the time such bayonet was made, it was required to be custom fitted to whatever short rifle it was mated with.  Regardless of whether it had previously been fitted to another example of the exact same rifle model, this bayonet will have to be custom fitted to the rifle for sale, if one desires to properly install it. This should only require a machinist with the proper fine detail machinery to shave 1/8” from the inside of the mortise slot width, and the same amount from the inside of the muzzle round diameter. The bayonet blade is bright with limited patina and no rust. All metal surfaces on both the bayonet and sheath are intact and in good serviceable condition. The leather on the sheath is in very good condition for its age, and intact without tears or gaps. There is only minor wear seen on the very top of the sheath reverse (the side which rubbed against a uniform while in service).
In summary:
Both the rifle and the matching bayonet are unique, rare and historically significant and should be a nice addition to any collection.

The price is $4,000, one money for both the rifle and the bayonet. The purchaser will additionally be responsible for the cost of insured shipping to his FFL by UPS ground..
Terms of Sale:
1. I only sell and ship to purchasers within the continental USA, and do not accept credit cards. I accept payment by Zelle or USPS money order.
2. This firearm is sold as a collector's item only. The seller assumes no liability, express or implied, as to the shooting capacity, safety or accuracy of the item listed for sale. Any gun, whether antique or modern, should properly be examined and approved for firing by a capable gunsmith. But please also note: Those who are not experienced in the metallurgy of antique gun barrels, the necessity of using only black powder of appropriate types and in appropriate amounts when shooting, and the necessity of following safe loading and firing practices which are unique to black powder weapons, can cause serious injury and death to themselves or others if attempting to fire one of these guns.
3. A three-day right of inspection will apply to this gun sale, consistent with the standard terms detailed for buyers and sellers by Guns International, that is: gun must be returned unfired and not having been disassembled, in the same condition that it was forwarded, packed securely and with return made by the same insured UPS manner in which it was originally sent.
4. The seller is just an old guy liquidating his collection and is neither a gun dealer or purports to be an “expert” in firearms. Any comments concerning the subject item for sale are matters based upon my personal observation, research and past experience with antique firearms.




 

Price: $4,000.00

Curio/Relic: Yes
Antique: Yes