Make: Parker Field & Sons

Model: Pattern 1853 Enfield Musket

Serial Number: NSNV

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1860s / Antique

Caliber: .577 Caliber

Action Type: Single Shot Percussion, Muzzleloading Smoothbore Musket

Barrel Length: Approximate 38"

Sights / Optics: The sights have been removed.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a full-length walnut military pattern with straight wrist, straight comb, and brass buttplate with long tang. The brass has heavy wear and tarnish. The trigger guard is brass in typical Enfield commercial pattern style. The sling loop is removed. The wood shows scattered handling marks, compression dents, finish thinning, and age-related wear consistent with 19th century service. The right side of the buttstock has a deeply carved name. There is a crack on the left side of the stock at the rear of the barrel. There is heavy marring of the wood all around the buttstock. Overall, the stock rates in about Fair condition as antique.

Type of Finish: Blued and casehardened steel, now aged to patina

Finish Originality: Refinished, treated with cold blue.

Bore Condition: The smooth bore is dark with corrosion and pitting. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 2/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle displays modest erosion and a deep patina throughout its metal parts. The brass furniture shows tarnish underneath cold blue. The front barrel band appears to be a crude replacement. There is heavy erosion at the rear of the barrel at the nipple and tang. Screw heads show age-appropriate wear. There are heavy dents on the muzzle. Overall, this rifle rates in about Poor condition.

Mechanics: The lock cocks and releases properly at both half and full cock. The hammer falls with solid tension. The trigger pull is consistent. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Accessories: Ramrod present.

Our Assessment: Parker Field & Sons of London was one of several commercial makers supplying Pattern 1853 style Enfield muskets during the height of mid nineteenth century military demand. Produced in the 1860s, arms of this type saw widespread service across the British Empire and were also exported in large numbers to colonial markets and foreign conflicts. Originally designed as a .577 caliber rifled musket, the Pattern 1853 became one of the defining long arms of its era, associated with both imperial service and the American Civil War. This example follows the classic three band military profile with full length walnut stock and brass furniture, presenting today as a well worn survivor of that turbulent period.

Condition reflects long service and later alteration. The metal surfaces have aged to a deep patina and have been treated with cold blue, with noticeable erosion at the breech and tang. The smooth bore is dark with corrosion and pitting, rating 2 out of 10, and the front barrel band appears to be a crude replacement. The stock shows heavy wear, scattered dents, a carved name in the right side of the butt, and a crack at the left rear of the barrel channel. Despite its condition, the lock functions correctly at half and full cock and the hammer falls with solid tension. Overall, this Parker Field & Sons musket presents as an honest, heavily used antique example that retains strong historical character from the black powder military era.