I always like Enfield Rifles, the fact that you have one so old is, well, rare.

I have seen recreations, but, never a original. Even, if it does not ever fire again, it is still in my opinion a elegant weapon. The thing that makes weapons like this so special, is that the British in 1856, still had a empire. Which means, your short rifle, may have seen foreign lands, in a different time. Even though it is hard to track them, I personally believe that antique weapons can always tell stories.

Congratulations, for you posses a piece of history, it is a fine weapon.

Originally Posted by Sukio

I always like Enfield Rifles, the fact that you have one so old is, well, rare.

I have seen recreations, but, never a original. Even, if it does not ever fire again, it is still in my opinion a elegant weapon. The thing that makes weapons like this so special, is that the British in 1856, still had a empire. Which means, your short rifle, may have seen foreign lands, in a different time. Even though it is hard to track them, I personally believe that antique weapons can always tell stories.

Congratulations, for you posses a piece of history, it is a fine weapon.

thank you there my friend. Your words made my day

You best bet is to talk to some Civil War Reenactors. They play with guns of that era way more then I do.

You can clean it up and see it it will fire. As for spare parts. I believe that Numrich might have parts for it but I'm not sure.

If you want to see if it will fire safely. Clean it up, then simply load a blank charge. instead of shooting a projectile. Just load a powder charge and a paper or cloth wad to hold in the powder. It's what civil war and rev war reenactors do for blanks. Also, place the musket in a vice and attach string to the trigger. You want to say away from the musket for safety reasons.

Check the musket for any cracks in the barrel and receiver. Also see if there is any major pitting.

If you want to keep this as a collectors piece then take it to a smith who deals with antique firearms. A bluing job or stock polish or damage to any remaining finish will ruin it's value.

Is it a Match lock rifle?

Originally Posted by zander_0633

Is it a Match lock rifle?

Flintlock by the looks of it. In a few decades however, the British started to design breach loarders, which then gave way to bolt action rifles.

Well, neither actually. Its a percussion cap rifle. Forerunner of the modern primer. Light years ahead of the flintlock and matchlock designs.

Percussion caps, ah.. the Smokey ones! I remember that now. I am no small arms historian, but you can tell the differences if you know them.

don't shoot it, it is a locally made copy called a kyber pass gun. a local made blacksmith made it out of god knows what. The give away is the lockplate, would tower armory misspell their name. email me for proof.