Tower, 1858 Dated, India Issue 3 Band .586” Smoothbore Percussion Musket. Sn - 21443 Tower, 1858 Dated, India Issue 3 Band .586” Smoothbore Percussion Musket. Sn - 21443 Single Shot None Rifles

This is a Tower made, .586” Pattern 1858 3 band musket which is a direct copy of the British 3 band .577 Third Model Enfield rifle where the barrel is held in by three Bradley barrel bands. The main difference is that the gun is not rifled and there is no rear sight. In 1858 the .577 3 band rifle was replaced by the 1st model Indian .700” musket which was one of these rifles bored out to .700” with a smooth bore, a V notch rear sight and a block foresight. This rifle appears to be originally a .577 infield barrel where the rifling has been bored out to make it a musket pending the introduction of the 1st model Indian .700” musket in 1858. This musket is fitted with a Tower lockplate which is stamped Crown over VR 1858 Tower. The right hand side of the barrel has Indian armoury markings stamped into it near the rear sight. The musket is fitted with a swelled ramrod and both sling swivels are present. The musket measures 55 inches in length with a 37 ½ barrel. The stock is in excellent condition with minor bumps to the surface. The cocking and firing actions work crisply. The musket is fitted with the correct pattern socket bayonet and locking ring. The bayonet has Nepalese script to the top of the blade. See Section A, Muzzle Loading Arms items RB 43 & RB44 in Catalogue of the Enfield Pattern Room, British Rifles, published by Her Majesty’s Stationary Office. The price includes UK delivery. NB As an antique obsolete calibre rifle and no licence is required to own this musket in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. Sn 21443