Probable Confederate British Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket (AL5287)

This Pattern 1853 rifle-musket was sold by Sinclair, Hamilton & Company of London, most likely to the Confederate States. To quote from "The English Connection" by Pritchard & Huey: "The great majority of arms acquired through Sinclair, Hamilton & Company were Pattern 1853 rifle muskets and without question the firm played an absolutely essential role in the acquisition operations of the Confederate Ordnance Department." (page 77) This Pattern 1853 percussion rifle musket is standard in all respects. The 39" round 577 caliber barrel has a good bore with strong rifling which would probably clean better. The rear sight spring screw is absent. The metal has been cleaned bright It has the expected light to moderate pitting around the bolster. The barrel has the standard Birmingham proofs of crown/25/crown/25/crown (25 bore or 577 caliber) followed by a J. The lock has 1862/TOWER at the front and a crown at the rear. The brass furniture are very good. The stock is very good with no chips or cracks and light use marks. The buttplate is marked 22 on the tang. The stock also has two small oval S/HC stamps, one forward of the buttplate tang and one on the left flat. In addition, what appears to be the stocker's name, J.A. GRIFFIN, is stamped to the rear of the triggerguard tang. The action functions correctly. This is a very good example of what is most likely a Confederate-issued and used rifle musket.