Make: London Armoury Company

Model: Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket, Type III

Serial Number: None.

Year of Manufacture: 1862

Caliber: .577

Action Type: Single Shot Percussion Rifle-Musket

Barrel Length: 39"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a barleycorn post fixed to the front of the barrel. The front sight also serves as a bayonet lug. The rear sight is missing.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The wood stock features a brass nosecap, three barrel bands, the front barrel band has a sling swivel, straight wrist, straight comb and brass butt-plate. The left flat has a faint cartouche which is not legible. The right of the butt has an 1862 LACo rondel. There is cracking around the rear of the butt. There is a crack across the rear lockplate screw. There are some tiny cracks and small losses around the lock. There are small losses along the edges of the ramrod slot. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The LOP is 14” from the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered nicks and scratches with discoloration. Overall, the refinished stock is in Good-plus condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Bright, Casehardened Lock

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is barely visible. There is moderate-heavy erosion throughout. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 3-4/10.

Overall Condition: The surfaces have gone to a fairly even moderate-dark patina, brighter around the commercial proofs on the left at the chamber. There is scattered light erosion with more moderate erosion around the nipple. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with tool marks at the location of the missing rear sight. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, the musket is in Very Good condition for an Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this musket. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: There is a ramrod included with the musket.

Our Assessment: The Confederacy knew that conflict was inevitable with the United States which it had just seceded from. The Confederate Central Government and several individual states sent agents to Europe in order to secure arms contracts. Their greatest success was in Great Britain where manufacturers agreed to supply the Confederacy with arms, although the United States also secured similar agreements with British firms. These British firms had no actual stake in the outcome of the American Civil War and were just happy to secure lucrative contracts. There were several notable firms which supplied the South including the London Armoury Co. The British arms were superior to many of the aged weapons stored in Southern arsenals and the Confederates were far more reliant on the imported arms, pressed into service in almost every major engagement of the Civil War. In addition to the official government purchases, there were also commercial purchases made by individual soldiers who had the means.

This particular specimen is a Pattern 1853, Type III made by the London Armoury Co. during the Civil War. The gun has wear consistent with an arm from the mid-19th century, especially if it participated in the Civil War. In 1862, America was likely the largest market for LACo, especially taking into account sales to both sides. While not definitive, it seems likely that this rifle served on one side or the other. This is a great option for fans of historical firearms. Please see our photos and good luck!