This rifle-musket's lock is dated "1861" over the "TOWER" stamp and has St. Edward's crown at the tail. The barrel has standard military sights and proofmarks, and the stock has "26CV/H60" on the left side of the butt and "SWINBURN" (stocker/builder) on the bottom. The 1853 "Enfield" was one of the most widely used weapons during the Civil War and was particularly vital to the Confederacy. Many of these rifles were assembled using components manufactured by multiple contractors. Most Confederate soldiers entered the war with smoothbore, single shot weapons and only received rifles and more advanced sidearms once weapons were imported from Great Britain by Confederate blockade runners. In fact, British material support for the Confederate States in terms of both small arms and naval vessels was so significant that President Lincoln threatened war with Britain in 1863 though the Union forces were still struggling to defeat the South. Had he declared war, the combined C.S.A. and British forces very well may have won the war. Included with the rifle is a Salter & Co. commercial bayonet. Salter bayonets were commonly imported for the Civil War.

Very good. Most of the iron surfaces, including the bayonet, have smooth gray and brown patina, and the brass has an honest aged patina. The stock is very good and has minor marks and scratches throughout and a tension crack on the left flat. The markings are generally crisp throughout, and the lock functions very well. This is an attractive, possibly Confederate used, commercial Pattern 1853 rifle-musket well-suited for a Civil War collection.