Royal Small Arms Factory (Enfield) With Lovell's Patent Catch For Constabulary Bayonets. Sn 21822 Muzzleloader .65 Cal Muzzleloader Rifle

843 Victorian British WD Enfield Tower .650 Calibre Model 1840 Constabulary Carbine Percussion Smooth Bore Police Musket Unit Or Rregiment Marked ‘C 3962’ With Lovell's Patent Catch For Constabulary Bayonets. Sn 21822 - 21822

This is a British WD marked Police 'Constabulary' percussion musket in excellent condition. It measures 42 ¼” overall with a 26 ½” smoothbore barrel which is .650 carbine calibre. The bore has just light staining consistent with age. It has all original wood and metal work. The steel action plate is engraved ‘Crown VR’ (Victoria Regina) above ‘Tower’ (Enfield) and ‘1843’ date together with inspection mark. The carbine size musket has a heavy military hammer, brass butt plate, trigger guard, fore end block and ram rod mounts together with sling swivels & original iron ramrod. In 1843, as a result of a select committee meeting investigating the shortcomings of the previous Hanovarian version bayonet Lug's in service with the British Army, the Lovell's Lug was introduced. The Lug with Lovell's 'Catch' was introduced into the British Army in 1884 and applied to Constabulary bayonets up to the mid 1850's (see page 98 and 99 of British & Commonwealth Bayonets by Skennerton & Richardson). This rifle is fitted with the correct Lovell's bayonet catch. The stock is impressed ‘1843’ date and with inspection mark. The barrel has WD proof/inspection marks and the butt plate tang is engraved with Unit/ Regiment designation & or weapon number ‘C 3962’. The cocking and firing mechanisms work crisply. The price includes UK delivery. NB As an antique percussion musket no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 21822

£1,200.00