Description
Very solid example of the standard P53 Tower Enfield chambered in .577 caliber and dated 1862. The bottom of the triggerguard is deeply stamped with Louisiana state troop markings known to have been applied as early as 1865. Most of these weapons were examples issued during the Civil War that were re-issued to the state militia into the early 1870s era.
Other than missing the original ramrod, this weapon is in strong condition and has tight action and a solid, clean bore.
Reorganized during Reconstruction, the LSM was mostly comprised of black troops under the leadership of white officers and armed with Enfield rifles and Winchester Model 1866 muskets. The elections of 1872 threw the Louisiana state government into disarray as both gubernatorial candidates, Democrat John McEnery and Republican William Pitt Kellogg, declared victory.
The two governments operated separately until the dispute reached a climax on September 14, 1874, with the Battle of Liberty Place, or Battle of Canal Street, an attempted insurrection by McEnery supporters against the Reconstruction era Louisiana state government which was supported by the LSM. The McEnery faction occupied the State House for three days, ending when President Grant threatened to send federal troops to restore order.
