Enfield Pattern 1853 Gurus...got a good one for ya!

Tyroma

Tyroma

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Location
Norfolk County, Ontario
Hey Gang...

This one is for the Enfield Pattern muzzle loader guys.

I'm trying to identify an interesting Enfield...Here are the facts:
-33" barrel
-bayonet lug with guide
-standard front sight
-2 band
-577 chambering
-missing rear sight (not sure if it broke off or was removed for a shotgun conversion)
-corrosion has removed all markings on the barrel and lock (no marker name or crown)
-only proofs are tiny anchor with D C (Dominion of Canada? Navy?) stamps in several locations
-a few faint stock cartouches
-brass butt plate and trigger guard

I think I have it narrowed down to a Pattern 1856 Short Rifle, but I can't find anything on the little anchor stamps.

Any ideas on year, model, origin? Let's hear what you've got!

Here are the pics!

 
Not a Pattern 1856 at all. The nose cap is in the French style (used by many nations but not Britain). The ramrod has a heavy end to it found also on French influenced designs. The lug with bar bayonet mount is intended for a sabre bayonet. The round stock cartouche looks Belgian to me. The lock however is in the classic P53 style which was not used extensively. Many countries still made back action locks or had lock plates shaped more like the Brown Bess/Charleville. I know I have seen the Anchor DC makers mark before but I can't recall where. It is certainly not connected to Canadian military service in any way. I am thinking Belgian or possibly Portuguese issue contracted from Belgium. The manufacturer is in my memory somewhere... If you don't end up with a good answer on CGN, please post this to the British Militaria Forum as they have some very bright boffins.
 
BlackPowderBurner said:
Not a Pattern 1856 at all. The nose cap is in the French style (used by many nations but not Britain). The ramrod has a heavy end to it found also on French influenced designs. The lug with bar bayonet mount is intended for a sabre bayonet. The round stock cartouche looks Belgian to me. The lock however is in the classic P53 style which was not used extensively. Many countries still made back action locks or had lock plates shaped more like the Brown Bess/Charleville. I know I have seen the Anchor DC makers mark before but I can't recall where. It is certainly not connected to Canadian military service in any way. I am thinking Belgian or possibly Portuguese issue contracted from Belgium. The manufacturer is in my memory somewhere... If you don't end up with a good answer on CGN, please post this to the British Militaria Forum as they have some very bright boffins.
Click to expand...

Awesome! Off to a good start! Keep 'em coming, Guys!
 
Looks like this guy...

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/ohio-marked-musket-info-please.79818/

One post indicates the following:

"It's a so-called "Brazilian Light Minie Rifle." What gave it away was that
DC/Anchor mark, which is what made me remember it. I looked it up in
Edwards' "Civil War Guns" and that new volume "Firearms from Europe" (the
Enfield section of which is full of mistakes, but the sections on other
European arms seem better).

Some conflicting info in both sources, and I haven't done the research on
these guns to know which (if either) is more correct. But anyway, this gun
was made in Liege, Belgium by O.P. Drissen & Cie. Their mark was that
DC/Anchor. The E/LG in the oval on the barrel was a common Liege proof mark.
The "Firearms from Europe" book says some examples are marked OHIO. It also
says the bore is supposed to have three grooves (they are probably wrong in
this). That brass plate with the eagle was a standard feature of this rifle.

Edwards says the gun was being made for Brazilian Emperor Dom Pedro ...
who knows. Both sources indicate this was a rifle bought by Northern
purchasing agents - Edwards thinks it was William Syrus, and the other book
says more likely C.K. Garrison."

Here is another

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-...or-marked-liege-minie-rifle-3288-c-6b54fd9a1f
 
Neat rifle! How antiques end up anywhere is anyone's guess. I've wondered the same thing with many of my milsurps and antiques!
 
Have you been able to work out the approximate twist rate?

The 1853 had a 1 in 78in twist but had a 39in barrel. If your twist rate is 1 in 78in then it is the same as mine, which is an 1856 enfield made in 1860.

The 1860 has a 1 in 48in twist, which works better with long conical.
 
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