Rare Tiffany Civil War Imported British Pattern 1856 Enfield Short Rifle

American Civil War

.577 caliber. 33" barrel secured by two rounded clamping barrel bands. NSN. Blued finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot muzzleloading percussion military rifle. Lock marked in two lines forward of hammer 1861/TOWER and with the British {CROWN} without a VR underneath at the tail. Left quadrant of breech with Birmingham commercial view, proof and definitive proof marks as well as a pair of "25" gauge marks indicating .577 caliber. Top of nocksform stamped with the */TC mark of Tiffany & Company. Rifle retains the correct 1,100 yard ladder rear sight, front sight, saber bayonet lug, both sling swivels and a correct pattern full-length jag head ramrod with threads at the end. A reproduction sling and a snap cap with the incorrect pattern chain are also included. While the famous New York firm of Tiffany & Co is typically thought of for their fine decorative arts, in particular lamps and jewelry, during the Civil War they imported and sold arms to the Union. The English imported sabers that they sold to the North were marked with same "Star"/TC mark found on the breech of this rifle. According to Document 99, the firm delivered 5,840 "long Enfield rifles" and 480 "short Enfield rifles" to the US Government during the war. The 480 short rifles were delivered between December 2, 1861 and January 17, 1862 at prices that ranged between $18 and $22 per rifle. This is one of those extremely rare Tiffany imported Enfield Short Rifles, and a very nice condition example.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.