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1986-252, Musket
Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket
1986-252, Musket

Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket

Date1860
Maker John Thomas Cook
OriginEngland, Birmingham
MediumIron, steel, brass, and walnut
DimensionsOverall: 55 3/8"; Barrel: 39"; Bore: .577 caliber
Credit LineGift of Mr. Paul Schmidtchen.
Object number1986-252
DescriptionCommercially made British Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket (Type III), also known as a "Three-Band Enfield." The iron patchbox from a U.S. Model 1855 Rifle-Musket was set into the buttstock, likely by a Confederate owner.
Label TextBritish merchants and gunmakers were happy to supply arms to both the North and the South during the Civil War. This particular pattern came in second as the most common musket used in the war right behind the U.S. Model of 1861. Between early 1862 and the Spring of 1865, it is believed about 900,000 were imported, including hundreds of thousands trafficked into the rebellious Confederate states by intrepid "blockade runners."

Because of the inscription carefully carved into its buttstock, it is believed this musket is one of those smuggled into the South early in the conflict. Reading "TAKEN AT THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG MAY, 5th 1862," there is no question that it became the prize of a Union soldier who saw combat that day. While the memorializing of everyday soldier's items was a common practice during the Civil War, this musket is an exceptional relic of a pivotal event.

With more than 72,000 men engaged and an estimated 3800 casualties, but with no clear winner, the battle is a landmark in the history of Williamsburg. Many wounded men were treated in the ad-hoc hospitals set up in buildings and open spaces which are now part of Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area.
InscribedLeft side of buttstock neatly carved "TAKEN AT THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG MAY, 5th 1862" in three lines. Sideplate flat crudely engraved "S B," with the "S" in retrograde. Top of buttplate tang lightly scratched "CHC" below a line.
MarkingsLock struck with a Crown and "TOWER" over "1860," and "J.COOK" and "T H" inside the lockplate (the latter being the initials of the lock maker). Breech struck with Birmingham commercial proofs and "25" twice, being the bore size. "F.W. BANTON," the name of the stock maker, is struck into the triggerguard mortise. A large "PWS" is branded into the stock below the bottom tang of the triggerguard.