What should I pay? Pics added!....but Bubba was here.....

Wrong Way

Wrong Way

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I've been offered a "wall hanger". Havent seen it yet, but it's a full wood musket(?) marked 1861 Tower, with the only other marks being 11###. (Not a serial # blanked out...but actually says 11###)

Has been above the fireplace for 30 yrs, and they just re-decorated so the wife says it has to go!

I don't know what to offer the guy....100? 300? more? I don't want to hurt him, it's a proffesional aquaintance and good client.

Any ideas?
 
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Sounds like a Pattern 1853 Enfield rifled musket. I am no spert, if original it would be in the $1000 range. Check http://www.denner.ca/weapons/longguns/index.html he may have some for sale.
p53pn6.jpg
 
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There's one at Gunco right now that is similar to what you describe except with a repro ramrod for $1000. That's about the going rate.
 
And in what condition...

I bought two of these enfield replicas for my son and I for US Civ War reenactment in 2000s...paid each around 450-550 used (top shape)...one had a bayonet on top...(one is a Parker Hale!)...so I would not jump too high for a wall hanger that did not get its due maintainance (I suppose)...you should account for the gunsmith inspection and who knows what surprise...

I would low bid...and promissed future compensation after proper inspection/appraisal...if applicable.

And if it is an original then...it is a different game...that should be established first.

What do you want to do with it?
J
 
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Nobody is talking about it's "shootability", I would think that if it is shootable the value would be double or triple of what a wallhanger would be.
 
Main question...

ben hunchak said:
Nobody is talking about it's "shootability", I would think that if it is shootable the value would be double or triple of what a wallhanger would be.
Click to expand...


Real McCoy or replica? is the first question...then other considerations comes in...
 
My guess would be that it is a Snider; they are far more common than P53 and P55 Enfield's. In reasonable shape it is still worth at least $500 --- more depending on area and who you are selling to.
In spite of being called a wall hanger, it would not surprise me if it is in shootable condition as well. Many guns are called wall hangers because the owner or viewer only sees them as guns that are 150 years old.

cheers mooncoon
 
It was just a wallhanger to him. He's not really a "gun guy"

From what I gather, it is outstanding shape. This gentleman inherited himself 40 years ago, and it was his granfathers before that. I'm not getting my hopes up, but from what I gather it is in fine shape.

Now....the snider comment....are there sniders marked "1861 Tower"
He says there is also a piece of paper in the barrel of unknown origin that says the rifle was made in 1858 and stored in the Tower of London
 
We need pics to really be able to help you.
I seen a thread like this go 3 pages then we found out the gun was compleatly Diffrent than what the fellow thought it was :rolleyes:

Im not saying thats the case here but go get some pics!
 
It is highly unlikely to be a P53 Enfield with an 1861 date. The lock could have been replaced of course but there were only 5000 made. The 1853 is percussion and .75 cal. the P55 is a possibility; it is .58 cal and a lot were made but they are not terribly common because many were converted to Sniders. There is also a smoothbore version of the P55 and it is roughly .60 cal and was issued to the Indian troops I am told (ie the continent of India). Those Sniders which were made from converted percussion guns could also have a date of 1861. All of these guns look approximately the same to the untrained eye even though there are significan differences.
The story about belonging to the grandfather is not unreasonable but the portion of being stored in the Tower for any length of time is unlikely, at least in my opinion.

cheers mooncoon
 
Well heres a pic of a gun thats got 1862 Tower on it.
Does it look like this?
This ones abit rough and is around $300 US

Click on pic to enlarge
 
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If it is marked Tower it is not a Snider-Enfield, but probably a Pattern 1853 contract musket made by British commercial gunmakers to supply the Confederate or Union Army during the US Civil War. Tower was a kind of generic name used by the British trade who supplied both British and Foreign customers. If it is a British Military piece it will also be marked with the British Crown and VR on the lockplate. The name Tower has its origin from the Tower of London were originally parts purchased from private gunmaker were assembled into weapons for the British Army. By the 1850's weapons were no longer made there with the appearence of Enfield as the principal maker of British weapons. The trade continued to use the name Tower commercially, but it no longer referred to the old Tower of London Armory.
 
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Tower of London

You asked about the tower of London.

Prior to 1715 it was the normal practice for the Board of Ordnance to purchase complete weapons from private contractors that were required to withstand proof and meet a minimum standard of inspection. The result was a confused mass of non standardized weapons of indifferent quality. It was decided to tighten up the manufacturing requirements by more closely supervising and inspecting the finished weapons under the direct control of the Board of Ordnance. Orders were placed with contractors for various components required to set up a complete weapon. At this time patterns were furnished by the ordnance to the makers of the parts and the finished parts were delivered either to the Ordnance contractors or directly to the central depot, The Tower of London.

Further finishing work was done by stockers and setters up close to the Tower in an area known as the Minories. The finished weapons were then delivered to the Tower where they were inspected and stored prior to issue.
 
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