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Tower, 1857 Dated. Antique, Indian .577’’ Rifle Pattern 1853 Percussion Rifle Converted Post Mutiny to .65’’ Musket. Sn - 22901:1 The Indian army prior to the Mutiny was arme with the same 3 band Enfield rifle as the British troops. After the Mutiny of 1857, the Indian troops were armed only with .65 inch smoothbore muskets with a simple V rear sight and a block foresight. This is an original Tower produced 1853 Pattern .577 rifle dated 1857 that was modified after the Mutiny by removing the ladder rear sight and boring the barrel to a smoothbore .65 inch. The gun however retained the original rifles fore sight and brass nose cap. Boring the barrel made the barrel week and prone to bursting as in the Indian pattern 1858 musket and this was rectified with the improved Pattern 1859 Indian musket. This is an example of a 2nd pattern Enfield rifle with the spring and solid barrel bands made at the Tower armouries in 1857 that after the 1857 Mutiny was modified to the 1858 Pattern including the straight ramrod and with exception to the foresight for re issue to Indian troops. The double lined lock plate is engraved with the queens crown over VR (Victoria Regina) TOWER 1857 and the board of ordnance inspection mark. The inside of the lock plate carries tower marks and the underside of the barrel also carries tower marks with the barrel makers initials JT. The barrel also carries Tower proof marks to the left of the breech. The woodwork harries several repairs in its hard service life and the bore has some staining and residue from use. The musket is fitted with an original leather sling. . See RB 43, 44 & 33, in the Catalogue of the Enfield Pattern Room, British Rifles, published by Her Majesty’s Stationary Office. The price for this rare, rifle converted to musket bore post Mutiny prior to the 1858 Indian pattern musket includes UK delivery. NB As an antique musket. no licence is required to own it in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. Sn 22901:1 £495.00
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