P1853 Enfield - Tower 1862 - Diamond C

1862 Tower Enfield - Diamond C

SOLD

The English arms industry was structured differently that in America.  The two centers that produced Enfields, London and Birmingham operated as a collection of different shops.  Some produced small parts of a common pattern, while others produced larger parts.  These parts were collected and a stocker combined them all into a pattern 1853 Enfield. These Enfields were not interchangeable.  Only ones produce at Enfield for the British government or London Armory were interchangeable.   Often in disassembling an Enfield you will find the lock makers marks  on the inside of the lockplate.  Samuel Colt tried to contract for barrels to use in making rifle muskets in America.  He wanted 40" long barrels - 1" longer than the Enfield standard of 39".  The longer barrels had a longer octagonal breech section and were marked with a Diamond C on the left flat.  Before any barrels were shipped to America Colt found out that the US Government would not accept them.  These barrels were rolled into the production of P1853 Enfields for Commercial sale.  Many were purchased by southern firms and imported into the South.  This example does not bear any known CS marks.  

This example is a 1862 dated Tower Enfield with a 40" barrel.  The metal is a pleasing grey patina with scattered areas of light pitting.  The markings are all clear on the lock and the barrel.  The barrel has a clear diamond C mark in addition to the typical Birmingham proof marks.  The cone has the top part broken. The rifling is visible the length of the bore. Some parts such as the rear sight and the ramrod are marked with the name of the firm that supplied them.  The lock has a strong action and it does retain the cone protector and chain.  The stock is sound and complete.  I did not see a setters mark on the toe of the stock.   Both sling swivels are present.  

SOLD