“ANCHOR S” CONFEDERATE Tower ENFIELD Commercial P1853 CIVIL WAR Antique CSA c1863 mfr. Musket Cut to Cavalry Carbine

Product Description

“ANCHOR S” CONFEDERATE Tower ENFIELD Commercial P1853 CIVIL WAR Antique CSA

c1863 mfr. Musket Cut to Cavalry Carbine

Here we present an antique British Tower Commercial Pattern 1853 Enfield, made in 1863 in London or Birmingham, England. This piece was made as a musket before being cut down to musketoon or carbine length for use on horseback. Per the provenance, it was acquired from the descendants of Corporal George W. Allen (c1840-1923) of the CSA’s 3^rd Arkansas Cavalry Company C. George enlisted in Little Rock, Arkansas on July 16, 1861, as a Private at the age of 20. He originally signed on for 12 months early in the war but fought all the way until the end (almost 4 years!), surrendering with Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston to the Union’s Major General William Tecumseh Sherman on April 26, 1865. George was born in Georgia and lived until age 83 in River, Grant County, Arkansas where he farmed after the war. John Spicer of Champion Hill Relics acquired the piece as well as a saber from the family living in Randolph County, AR in 2009. Per the National Park Service, some of the men from the 3^rd AR Cavalry were recruited from Randolph.

From the NPS regarding the actions and history of the 3^rd AR:

3rd Cavalry Regiment was organized in July, 1861, and included the 1st (Borland’s) Arkansas Cavalry Battalion and three companies of J. L. Williamson’s Arkansas Infantry Battalion. For a time it was stationed at Pocahontas, Randolph County, Arkansas, where at least some of the men were recruited. Originally called 1st Arkansas Mounted Volunteers, the C. S. War Department ordered its designation to be 3rd Cavalry on January 15, 1862. Only 395 effectives crossed the Mississippi River in 1862. It always had a manpower problem but participated in more engagements than any other Arkansas command. The regiment was dismounted when it fought at Corinth, then was remounted and assigned to General Armstrong’s and T. Harrison’s Brigade. It fought at Thompson’s Station, Franklin, and Chickamauga, took part in the Knoxville and Atlanta Campaigns, and was active in the defense of Savannah and the campaign of the Carolinas. When the Army of Tennessee surrendered, few of its members were present. The field officers were Colonels Solon Borland, Samuel G. Earle, and Amson W. Hobson; Lieutenant Colonels Benjamin F. Danley, James M. Gee, and M. J. Henderson; and Majors William H. Blackwell, J. F. Earle, and David F. Shall.

The P53 was the British Military Ordnance Board’s choice for adoption as the primary long arm in 1853. It was considered the apex European military gun of that time, introduced by the British War Department after several studies to improve the calibers and the dimensions of the previous models. However, it kept the same general appearance of the earlier pattern 1851. The overwhelming majority of P53 Enfield Rifles, including this example, were made by commercial gun makers in Birmingham and London under contract.

The Enfield 1853 rifle-musket was also 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 overall condition is good, especially for a Confederate weapon. This piece shows a repair of the stock at the back of the lock and around to the rear of the left stock flat. This one has a clear Anchor S marking that is thought to be the inspector initial for John Southgate, a former London Armory inspector working for the Confederacy. Birmingham commercial proofs on the barrel. “1863” dated as guns with this particular inspection marking tended to be. The hammer is a period replacement from a US Model 1863. The ramrod is a period blacksmith creation that does have a worm at the end for pulling. The action is excellent. The bore is in good condition for age, gray with rifling remaining and some scattered pitting. An awesome piece of American history with the rare Anchor S marking!

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

Barrel is 23-1/8 inches.

Caliber: .577 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!

Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

www.ancestryguns.com

$4500
#230656