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Indian Smoothbore. 656 in musket, Pattern 1858

Indian Smoothbore. 656 in musket, Pattern 1858


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Indian Smoothbore. 656 in musket, Pattern 1858

Indian Smoothbore.656 in musket, Pattern 1858, lock dated 1856.Converted from a Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle-musket in India 1858 (c), this exceptionally rare item was part of an original issue of 10, 000 weapons sold by the British Government to the East Indian Company in 1856. These weapons were a contributory cause of the Indian Mutiny because of the belief that animal fat had been incorporated in the grease for the cartridges. After the Mutiny, most Indian troops were issued with smooth-bore muskets which at the same time were to look similar to Enfield rifles. In this case the original rifling was bored out and a locally-made ramrod fitted. Also, a simple fixed backsight replaced the graduated rear sight of the Enfield.Now in poor condition, it is identified by the faint stamp on the butt of the EIC lion rampant regardment and holding the crown. In addition the initials WD (War Department) over the broad arrow combined with I (India) and the date 1856 are present. The weapon was subsequently bored smooth and re-sighted to conform with the pattern 1858-1859.656in muskets for Native Infantry. Date: 1858

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Media ID 14395638

© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library

1853 1856 1858 Converted Dated Enfield Exceptionally Issue Item Lock Musket Rare Rifle Sold Weapons


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EDITORS COMMENTS
This historic photograph showcases an Indian Smoothbore.656 in musket, Pattern 1858, with a lock dated 1856. This rare artifact was originally part of an order of 10,000 weapons sold by the British Government to the East India Company in 1856. These muskets, which were converted from Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle-muskets in India in 1858, played a significant role in the Indian Mutiny due to the belief that animal fat had been used in the cartridges. After the Mutiny, Indian troops were issued with smooth-bore muskets that resembled Enfield rifles. In this case, the original rifling was bored out, and a locally-made ramrod was fitted. A simple fixed backsight replaced the graduated rear sight of the Enfield. The weapon is identified by the faint stamp on the butt of the East India Company's lion rampant holding the crown. The War Department's initials (WD) and the broad arrow, combined with the letter I for India and the date 1856, are also present. The weapon was later bored smooth and re-sighted to conform with the Pattern 1858-1859 656in muskets for Native Infantry. This musket, now in poor condition, is a testament to the complex history of the Indian subcontinent during the British colonial era.

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