Description
This very scarce pattern is one of the first 10,000 Tower Enfields imported to the Confederacy in 1861 via the Blockade. The first batch, purchased under a Navy contract via Caleb Huse, had the top of the brass buttplate engraved with a serial number (often engraved near the tip of the ramrod, too). The second 10,000 were numbered 1A-10,000A and the third, 1B-10,000B. Over 600,000 Enfields were purchased by the Confederacy from 1861 until 1863 (the Union purchased about 650,000) and determining which side used a weapon has often been a 50-50 guess! While there are other markings known to have been put ONLY on Confederate imported arms (such as JS-anchor and SHC for Sinclair, Hamilton and Company) the definitive and guaranteed marking only exists on the serial numbered examples. To date, approximately 110 of the numbered examples are known to have survived making them actually more rare than a Richmond Armory weapon. This weapon is in overall very good, solid condition and exhibits clear markings and a strong action. The bore is above average with clear lands and grooves. It is missing the rear sight (which was soldered on the barrel and often got damaged in the field). The ramrod is a correct original one but most all the 1861 dated weapons also had the matching number engraved on the shaft of the ramrod near the tip–and this one is NOT engraved.
This weapon is a MUST HAVE in any Civil War collection, especially one which includes shoulder long arms of the Confederacy! The breech is stamped with the standard 25-25 marking indicating the weapon was chambered in .577 caliber. The weapons also arrived in the less common .58 caliber (and they are marked at the breech with a 24-24 stamp).
Don’t miss this one!!!
