Can anyone identify this, please?

TheMightyTen said:
Except it has a percussion lock and looks to be in the correct proportions for the 53p Enfield, also from as much as can be seen in the image the bayonet socket looks correct for the 53p as well. Of the original all 53p I've seen (and there are quite a few as it was produced in such massive numbers in Birmingham and London) there's a fair amount of variation on some of the styling due to them being made under license by various comercial gun makers.

It does look like a nice example as it has bayonet. I'm very rerely allowed to but the bayonet on my repro in shows because of Health and Safety :( (I'm shoving black powder down the damn thing and pointing it at people, **** H&S :mad: :p )
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Interesting stuff, thanks for posting that. The item is up for auction near me, so I'm going to the viewing day tomorrow to have a look. If no militaria dealers are there to nuke my bid I could get it for a good price (under £100). I've no idea about the resale value. There are a couple of basket-hilt Scottish swords and what might be a sabre in the catalogue too, but the snaps don't make it clear whether they are reproductions or possible finds (much like the gun).
 
TheMightyTen said:
Yes I saw that, crazy stuff. I just can't get over the fact that they just refuse to budge on the idea of creating some control on "The right to bear arms" :confused:
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If the revolutionary army had access to M4s they obviously would have used them. And they still would have had the second amendment, knowing full well it meant M4s (and their successors).
 
Update fans, here's an update.

The thing went to auction today. Beforehand, I had a chance to look at it. It was definitely the Enfield three band 1853 pattern, or thereabouts. Fairly poor condition though, with warped wood in places, pitted metal and a percussion cap hammer that wouldn't move. Interestingly, it had rough Hindi (?) script etched messily into the lock metal (all over) and the sights were in poor nick.

I'm pretty sure it was one of those we issued to the sepoy units around the time of the mutiny. IIRC, we gave them muskets instead of rifles and purposefully ruined the sights in case they turned against the British over there.

Anyway, the estimate was 30-50 pounds - bargainous. I left an absentee bid of £75, but found out today that it actually sold for over £200. I'm sad that I didn't get it, but it wasn't worth that to me. I'm sure a bit of expert restoration could triple the price. Hopefully it got a good home.

I missed out on an 1821 pattern Royal Artillery officer's sword, too - by a mere £20. Not a good day! :(
 
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