The most iconic of the imported arms to see service with the Confederacy during the American Civil War is the British Pattern 1853 rifle-musket marked with the Confederate JS/Anchor viewer’s mark of John Southgate combined with an engraved Confederate inventory control number on the tang of the brass butt plate. If a collector were to have only one true Confederate imported weapon in their collection, one of these rare Confederate marked Enfields would be the perfect addition. The only feature more desirable in a P-1853 Enfield than the Confederate inspection and inventory markings are an identification to a specific Confederate soldier and this weapon has exactly that!

This fine weapon is 100% original and is untouched and uncleaned. It is " a gun collector's weapon" because the condition needs no excuses. There is a smooth plum brown patina on all the metal parts. The 39-inch barrel show minor pitting near the nipple as a result of percussion cap ignition. The rifling is very good still. All mating numbers matched when the rifle-musket was dis-assembled. Both sling swivels are intact while the threaded ramrod, not numbered, has a patina that suggests it has been in this exact weapon for well over a century. The "Tower" marked lock plate is dated "1861"   The walnut stock is fine with its original surface and no breaks or problems. The plum brown patina brass butt plate has serial number "2006" engraved in. The stock bears a large stamped "S" for Scott, the contractor, and "JS" over the anchor symbol is visible below the trigger guard. This is a "First Contract" (between the central Confederate government and the British arms trade) weapon and these arrived in the Confederate South late in the year of 1861.

On the left side of the stock running from below the trigger guard toward the butt is very lightly inscribed: " H.F. Richardson 19th. Co. E.  ANV". This is infantryman H.F. (M) or "Hardie" Richardson of Co. E (and later A) 19th Georgia infantry who was wounded carrying this arm at the battle of Mechanicsville, VA on June 26th,1862. Once he recovered, he rejoined the regiment as a teamster and blacksmith Longstreet's Corp and served in this capacity the entire war. The extra fine condition can be explained by the fact he carried it in his wagon. On the regimental bi-monthly rolls he was present for June and July of 1863; he was therefore at Gettysburg.

This arm was originally in the collections of both Corky Huey and Dave W. and evidently sold by them years ago with regrets! It was last sold several years ago by Shannon Prichard to the present owner. One of the finest of its type known.   [pe] [ph:L]

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