This Enfield Musketoon, with 24" barrel, is dated 1861 on the lock plate. Made for the caliber .577 hollow base Minie bullet that allowed quick reloading, achieved fine accuracy, and much longer range than the round ball muskets of an earlier generation. The rear sight is calibrated and marked in 100 yard increments, up to 600 yards. Enfield muskets were imported and issued by both the North and the South. The Confederacy purchased Enfield muskets from neutral England, and brought them into the south, at great risk, aboard the blockade runners.
Unlike Springfield muskets, this Enfield musketoon is trimmed in brass. Stocked in close grain walnut, the stock has the classic light walnut color found on antique examples. The cartouche is clearly visible in the buttstock. The original nipple protector and chain has been removed. Trigger reach is 13-3/4" to fit today's average size shooter. Weight is 7.4 pounds.
The tapered round 24" barrel, including the breech plug, is rifled with five lands and grooves with a 1 in 48" rate of twist. The bore is bright, well maintained, and ready to shoot. Nicely polished and blued, the blue black finish appears as-new. The sword bayonet lug mounted 4" behind the muzzle. The barrel is tapered round, with a distinct flat at the breech, which makes a smooth transition to the tang. The left hand side of the barrel has the Pedersoli markings, Italian proof marks, as well as replica period British proof marks. The correct Enfield ladder style military sight is fitted ahead of the breech. The front sight is the factory original steel blade.
The brass buttplate, triggerguard, and muzzle cap, are retained with blued steel screws, as original. The two barrel bands are polished and blued. Sling swivels are mounted, for a military sling. No sling is included with this musketoon. Stocked in walnut, with relatively straight grain, the stock is in excellent condition with only a few minor handling marks. The center of the buttstock is stamped clearly with the Birmingham Small Arms Trade cartouche, exactly as found on original Enfield muskets. The correct steel military ramrod easily slides through the barrel bands and into the stock. The hidden end is threaded with a male 5-.8mm thread to accept cleaning and loading accessories. Two brass sideplate washers are inlet flush into the stock, and counter bored to accept the two lock bolts.
The color case hardened lock has the classic Enfield percussion hammer. The hammer is nicely engraved with a border, and checkered at the thumb spur. The color case hardened finish on the lock plate appears as-new. The lock plate is marked with a crown and 1861 over TOWER. A crown (indicating ownership by the king) is stamped on the tail of the lock plate. This Enfield rifled musket is fitted with a 8-1.25 threaded Enfield musket nipple. Order our #NW-100 nipple wrench. The mainspring on this percussion lock is very strong and has a smooth trigger release. The tiny blued steel stud ahead of the triggerguard is a lanyard loop. The factory chain with nipple protector has been removed.
This nice well maintained Enfield musket will be appreciated by a Civil War reenactor. Both sides prized the English Enfield musket. This musketoon has a bright bore and is ready to shoot. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.
