This example was manufactured by the London Arms Company in 1861 and was presented as a marksmanship trophy. The right side of the stock is inlaid with a round silver plate inscribed: "C.U.R.V./NO 5 COMPANY/FIRST PRIZE/WON BY/NORMAN D.J. STRUTON/23RD NOV. 1861". This rifle was formerly part of the collection of Jac Weller, noted author and authority on Napoleonic Wars, and is pictured in the "The Estate of Jac Weller" on page 15 (copy included). The rifle has a 39 inch rifled barrel with three screw fastened bands. The barrel has a block mounted steel front sight and a folding leaf rear sight. The flat faced lock is mounted flush with the stock. The percussion nipple is fitted with a standard leather topped snap cap attached by a chain to the lower sling swivel. The forearm cap, trigger guard and buttplate are brass. The stock is nicely figured, oil finished walnut with well-cut, deep checkering on the wrist and the forearm below the lower barrel band. The musket has the original steel ramrod with slotted "jag" head. The lock plate is marked "1861/L.A. Co." in front of the hammer and has the "Crown/V.R." royal cipher behind the hammer. The left side of the barrel is stamped with three "L.A.C." inspection marks between the rear sight and the tang and London "Crown/CP" and "Crown/V" proof and inspection marks. As a rifle made for commercial sale, it is not stamped with British military "Broad Arrow" property marks. The barrel and barrel bands are browned, and the lock plate and hammer are color casehardened. The Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle-Musket was a high quality weapon with a reputation for long range accuracy. Pattern 1853 Rifle-Muskets were used by the British Army in the Crimean War and the Sepoy Rebellion and by both Federal and Confederate armies during the Civil War. The London Arms Co. manufactured high quality Pattern 1853 Rifle-Muskets with interchangeable parts for the British Army. The British government did not allow importation of L.A.C. made Pattern 1853 Rifle-Muskets to the United States during the Civil War. The British Volunteer Movement originated in response to concern over a potential conflict with France during the late 1850s. This concern led to the formation of volunteer rifle companies from the British middle and upper classes who furnished their own weapons and uniforms. Rifle marksmanship that took advantage of the inherent long range accuracy of the Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket was a key component of the Volunteer Movement. This interest in rifle marksmanship led to the creation of the British National Rifle Association in 1859. This rifle is a nice example of a high quality, trophy rifle associated with the British Volunteer Movement.

Good. The rifle shows careful wear. Considerable brown patinated finish is present on protected areas of the barrel. The lock plate has shadows of the case colors, and a plum brown patina is on the hammer. The barrel bands have a smooth brown patina. The brass forearm cap, trigger guard and buttplate have never been polished and have a good looking patina. The stock is in fine condition with sharp checkering on the wrist and forearm. The engraving on the silver plate in the stock is sharp, and the markings on the barrel and lock plate are clear. The is a solid representative example of a scarce Volunteer Pattern 1853 Pattern Rifle-Musket.