Royal Small Arms Factory (Enfield) Percussion Carbine. Sn 21823 Muzzleloader .65 Cal Muzzleloader Rifle

**RARE** Crimean War 1854 Dated, Land Transport Corps Pattern .650” Percussion Carbine. Sn 21823 - 21823

This is a Crimean War Period Land Transport Corps Pattern carbine which was introduced as an emergency measure of the Crimean War (1854-1856). Due to the inadequacies of the Commissariat in Bulgaria and the extreme difficulty of transporting supplies from Balaklava to Sevastopol became a scandal. The transport Corps of the army numbered approximately 9.000 men at that time and to protect them from marauding Cossacks, the smoothbore Pattern 1840 Constabulary Carbine fitted with the Lovell Pattern 1842 Percussion Lock was supplied as an emergency issue firearm. Designated the Land Transport Corps Carbine. The carbine fired a spherical ball contained with powder in a paper cartridge and was issued with the standard Constabulary Pattern triangular bayonet, which was secured with the Lovell bayonet catch in the same way as the Pattern 1842 Musket bayonet. This is an early example of the carbine, most being manufactured in 1855 and is dated on the lockplate1854 above TOWER. The lock plate is engraved with the Queens crown over VR and a ordnance issue stamp. The carbine has a 26 ½ inch smooth bore .65 inch calibre barrel and carries ordnance marks at the breach. The carbine measures 42 ¼ inches long and has two sling swivels fitted to the stock. The brass butt plate is engraved LTC (Land Transport Corps) over M over 1. The wood opposite the lock plate is also stamped LT in large letters. The wood behind the brass trigger guard also carries 2 crowned inspection stamps. There is a nice B.O. Storekeepers stamp to the right side of the butt. The Land Transport Corps was officially established in 1855. The stock has an old but stable repair to the neck. The barrel’s smooth bore has staining & residue consistent with age and use. The carbine cocks & dry fires crisply. The price includes UK delivery. NB As an antique percussion carbine no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 21823

£945.00