British P-53 percussion rifle-musket manufactured in 1861. The musket lock is stamped with a Crown behind the hammer and "1861/TOWER" below the nipple bolster. British commercial proof marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel between the tang and the rear sight. The musket has no British military property marks and appears to be an early, Birmingham made, P-53 rifle-musket, manufactured for export to the United States or Confederate governments during the Civil War. The initials "T D" are lightly carved on the left side of the stock and "T" is carved on the right side of the forearm between the lock plate and the lower barrel band. The musket has a walnut stock with three screw-fastened iron barrel bands and a brass forearm tip, trigger guard and buttplate. The musket is fitted with an iron ramrod with a knurled and slotted head. The barrel has an iron front sight blade. The original long range rear sight has been replaced with a hand-made fixed rear sight. Both of the sling swivels are missing. An old label on the right side of the stock appears to read: "Rebel musket from the Chancellorsville battle field found where General Stonewall Jackson was wounded May 4, 1863". The U.S. and Confederate governments purchased thousands of P-53, Enfield Pattern, rifle-muskets from British gun-makers during the first three years of the Civil War. The P-53 Enfield was the primary rifle-musket issued to Confederate infantry regiments during the Civil War. Confederate units in the Army of Northern Virginia carried large numbers of 1861 and 1862 dated P-53 rifle-muskets at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863. The date, home-made rear sight and soldier carved initials on this P-53 rifle-musket are all consistent with weapons used by Confederate soldiers.

Good. The musket barrel, lock and barrel bands all have a deep, un-touched patina with scattered pitting. There is moderate to heavy flash pitting on the percussion nipple, bolster and adjacent areas of the barrel. The brass furniture has a dark, un-touched patina. The lock markings and barrel proof and inspection marks are clear. The stock shows moderate to heavy handling wear and has an old period repair on the top edge of the comb. This is a solid example of a 1861 dated P-53 Enfield rifle-musket that appears to have been issued and carried during the Civil War.