Topic: Identifying this old rifle ?

mmarsh · July 10th, 2007

Macbeth

I pretty sure it is TOWER. Remember spelling has changed since the 19th century and because sometimes manufactures would reverse letter/change them to symbols for copyright purposes.

For the rust I would take it to a professional as 5.56 suggested. Its an antique and you should let a professional gunsmith treat it. Could be tricky in Kuwait, but there most be someone who can do it. Perhaps even a museum.

I don't think its a Confederate piece for 3 reasons.

First, you bought it it Kuwait. The Confederates never made it that far but the British Army certainly had a strong presence there. Geographically, its just much more likely a British Army rifle.

Second there is the crown behind the hammerlock. Enfields that were meant for exported generally didn't have that mark. As the British Crown wasn't supposed to be officially supporting the Rebels.

Lastly your Enfield is the 'short' not the 'long'. The 'Long' barrel was about 15in longer than the 'short' and was a infantryman weapon. The 'short' varient was meant as an NCO rifle, its nickname was the "sergeants rifle".

Unlike the British Army, the NCOs on both sides of the US Civil War carried standard infantry weapons, not specialized. Of course the Confederacy would use whatever they could get. So while not impossible its a confederate piece, its unlikely.

July 10th, 2007
mmarsh Tribunus Laticlavius Gear	Macbeth I pretty sure it is TOWER. Remember spelling has changed since the 19th century and because sometimes manufactures would reverse letter/change them to symbols for copyright purposes. For the rust I would take it to a professional as 5.56 suggested. Its an antique and you should let a professional gunsmith treat it. Could be tricky in Kuwait, but there most be someone who can do it. Perhaps even a museum. I don't think its a Confederate piece for 3 reasons. First, you bought it it Kuwait. The Confederates never made it that far but the British Army certainly had a strong presence there. Geographically, its just much more likely a British Army rifle. Second there is the crown behind the hammerlock. Enfields that were meant for exported generally didn't have that mark. As the British Crown wasn't supposed to be officially supporting the Rebels. Lastly your Enfield is the 'short' not the 'long'. The 'Long' barrel was about 15in longer than the 'short' and was a infantryman weapon. The 'short' varient was meant as an NCO rifle, its nickname was the "sergeants rifle". Unlike the British Army, the NCOs on both sides of the US Civil War carried standard infantry weapons, not specialized. Of course the Confederacy would use whatever they could get. So while not impossible its a confederate piece, its unlikely. __________________ "My center is giving way, my right is in retreat; situation excellent. I shall attack." -Foch I get this question a lot. I am from NYC. I fly a French flag because I work for the Paris Office of a International company.