1853 three band enfield

goodoledays47 · September 16, 2009, 04:13 AM

G/Day Mates,,New to the forum from australia. I have purchased one of
IMA's nepal untouched 1853 enfields and i have it at a friends home in CA
while I arrange the paperwork for import to Ozz.
My question is ,should this gun have a serial number, and if so where on the gun would it be located. (that area would have to be carefully cleaned to expose any number) as this old gun is cruddy.
thanks in advance Gavin

Tamara · September 16, 2009, 06:40 AM

Y'know, that's a really good question.

I'd assume that by the time of the Enfield that they had centralized production at RSAF Enfield and no longer farmed out piecework, but I'm not at all certain of that.

Tom2 · September 16, 2009, 04:38 PM

I have an early Parker-Hale reissue that is serialised on the side of the barrel opposite the lock at the breech end. Whether that has any bearing on original production rifles, or Nepalese locally made versions, I cannot say. Best ask your friend to give it the ol' eyeball and tell you what he sees, or if there is any reference to a number on paperwork with it. Presumably if it were applied for military property or inventory purposes, it would not be concealed or difficult to find, unless obscured by dirt/grease or rust.

James K · September 16, 2009, 06:15 PM

I have never seen an Enfield rifle musket with a serial number and AFAIK they were not used at that time.

Jim

goodoledays47 · September 16, 2009, 08:26 PM

many thanks for your help jim, tom, tamara
gavin in ozz

pvt.Long · September 29, 2009, 10:32 PM

more then likely on the bottom of the barrel if it has one or on the butt plate

gyvel · October 2, 2009, 05:10 AM

I've only seen serial numbers on Sniders. In all likelihood, your gun is not going to have a serial number. Is that a requirement for getting it back to Oz?

Aussie Pete · October 16, 2009, 03:43 PM

I have 2 original 1853 3 band rifles, a model 1 and a model 2 and other than the expected inspector markings there are no serial numbers on either.

September 16, 2009, 04:13 AM	#1
goodoledays47 Junior Member Join Date: September 16, 2009 Posts: 2	1853 three band enfield G/Day Mates,,New to the forum from australia. I have purchased one of IMA's nepal untouched 1853 enfields and i have it at a friends home in CA while I arrange the paperwork for import to Ozz. My question is ,should this gun have a serial number, and if so where on the gun would it be located. (that area would have to be carefully cleaned to expose any number) as this old gun is cruddy. thanks in advance Gavin

September 16, 2009, 06:40 AM	#2
Tamara Moderator Emeritus Join Date: March 11, 2000 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 16,002	Y'know, that's a really good question. I'd assume that by the time of the Enfield that they had centralized production at RSAF Enfield and no longer farmed out piecework, but I'm not at all certain of that. __________________ MOLON LABE! 2% Unobtainium, 98% Hypetanium. The Arms Room: An Online Museum.

September 16, 2009, 04:38 PM	#3
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	I have an early Parker-Hale reissue that is serialised on the side of the barrel opposite the lock at the breech end. Whether that has any bearing on original production rifles, or Nepalese locally made versions, I cannot say. Best ask your friend to give it the ol' eyeball and tell you what he sees, or if there is any reference to a number on paperwork with it. Presumably if it were applied for military property or inventory purposes, it would not be concealed or difficult to find, unless obscured by dirt/grease or rust. __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

October 16, 2009, 03:43 PM	#8
Aussie Pete Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Queensland Australia Posts: 15	I have 2 original 1853 3 band rifles, a model 1 and a model 2 and other than the expected inspector markings there are no serial numbers on either. __________________ We are what we are because of what we were:

September 16, 2009, 06:15 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I have never seen an Enfield rifle musket with a serial number and AFAIK they were not used at that time. Jim

September 16, 2009, 08:26 PM	#5
goodoledays47 Junior Member Join Date: September 16, 2009 Posts: 2	many thanks for your help jim, tom, tamara gavin in ozz

September 29, 2009, 10:32 PM	#6
pvt.Long Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2009 Posts: 433	more then likely on the bottom of the barrel if it has one or on the butt plate

October 2, 2009, 05:10 AM	#7
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	I've only seen serial numbers on Sniders. In all likelihood, your gun is not going to have a serial number. Is that a requirement for getting it back to Oz?