AR692 - .577” P.1853 Three-Band Enfield “Minie” percussion rifle
A London Armoury Co. made 3-band Enfield percussion rifle of the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny period. The first commonly issued precision shooting rifle of the British Army and historically significant in terms of use, accuracy and manufacture; and in widespread use across an expanding empire. Coming out of Robert Adams, the address is correct for post 1863. The Lovell’s style hammer and lock are marked with the Crown over VR and 1866 (manufacturing date), over L.A.Co., with and 1867 marking to the butt roundel – with London Armoury in the circumference, over 36 King Wm Street. E.C. Brass buttplate and trigger guard, the remainder of the furniture being iron, which along with the barrel has been cleaned overall externally, although care has been taken not to reduce the barrel externally, with old pitting remaining. Correct ramrod. The bore is good with 3-groove rifling bright and sharp. Chequered wrist and forend. It comes with what looks to be an original leather sling with riveted keeper, not sewn!
 
P.53 was very popular with both Federal and Confederate sides of the US Civil War, as well as re-appearing in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. British Empire forces and secondary units used the P.53 right up to the Second Boer War, and it had a second, rejuvenated life as the Snider breechloading system.