Royal Small Arms Factory (Enfield) Percussion Rifle With Patchbox. Sn 21593 Muzzleloader .577 Rifle

C1854-1860’s British Brunswick Pattern Volunteer / Militia .577 Calibre Muzzle Loading Percussion Rifle With Patchbox. Sn 21593 - 21593

The Brunswick rifle was a large calibre muzzle-loading percussion rifle manufactured for the British Army by Enfield in the early 19th century. The Brunswick rifle was one of several designs submitted to replace the Baker rifle. Unlike the Baker rifle, the Brunswick rifle used a special round ball with raised ribs that fit into two spiralling grooves in the barrel. The rifle was designed to accept a sword type bayonet which mounted by use of a bayonet bar, similar to the design of that used on the Baker rifle. The bayonet bar was relocated further back due to problems that had been experienced with the Baker rifle. The Brunswick rifle used a block front sight and a two position folding leaf rear sight which although ungraduated were set for either 200 or 300 yards. In 1854 as a result of introduction of the Minie rifle musket, Brunswicks were issued to militia Regiments and remained in service with them into the 1860’s (see page 64 plate 58 and page 65 of British Military Longarms by Bailey). This is a Brunswick type Volunteer / Militia rifle. The usual calibre of a Brunswick rifle is .704 calibre our variant is .577 calibre. The action plate is stamped ‘London’. It has all original woodwork with brass butt plate, trigger guard, fore end block, ram rod mounts and Brunswick type patch box with hinged lid which has the correct 2 compartments, original steel ramrod & Brunswick pattern bayonet bar with notch. It has a block & blade fore sight and Brunswick type leaf rear sights. The wood has knocks bumps and bruises consistent with age and service use. The wood is impressed with what looks like number ‘8’ or reverse letter ‘B’ above ‘25’. The plain steel barrel has no visible external proofs and measures 30” in length. The rifle measures 46 ¼” overall. The rifled bore has staining and residue consistent with age & service use. The cocking and firing actions work crisply. The price includes UK delivery. NB This is an antique muzzle loading percussion rifle and no licence is required to own it in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. Sn 21593

£2,495.00