Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Towns > Enfield
Altered Pattern 1842. 758 inch calibre percussion rifle musket, 1854 (rifle musket)
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Fine Art Finder
Altered Pattern 1842. 758 inch calibre percussion rifle musket, 1854 (rifle musket)
5930001 Altered Pattern 1842.758 inch calibre percussion rifle musket, 1854 (rifle musket) by English School, (19th century); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: Altered Pattern 1842.758 inch calibre percussion rifle musket, 1854.
Manufacturer of lock, Tower; Contractor (conversion to rifling), Pritchett.
Although the introduction of the rifle musket and the expanding bullet rendered the smoothbore musket obsolete, it was feasible to convert the smoothbore to the new system. During the early months of the Crimean War (1854-1856) many Pattern 1842 Muskets which had remained in store in Britain were converted into rifle muskets, for issue to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines only. Rifling grooves were cut into the barrel, producing a new weapon that was designated the altered Pattern 1842 Rifle Musket. The process of rifling the bore enlarged the calibre from.753in. to.758in. and it fired a large conical-shaped bullet fitted with an iron cup, of Pritchett design. The bayonet for the Pattern 1842 musket was also used for the rifle musket.
The first order for the conversion of 1, 200 Pattern 1842 Muskets was made in April 1852; further orders were to follow. The conversions were rifled with either four grooves, like the MiniA©, or with three grooves, as with the Pattern 1853 Enfield. This example has three rifle grooves and is sighted to 1, 000 yards (914 m.). Externally the weapon is very similar to the MiniA©, but because the increased weight of the bullet (about twice as heavy as the Pattern 1842 Musket ball) gave it such a fierce recoil, it proved very unpopular.); eNational Army Museum; English, out of copyright
Media ID 23572570
© National Army Museum / Bridgeman Images
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Arts
> Artists
> Related Images
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Boroughs
> Enfield
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Museums
> British Museum
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Museums
> Design Museum
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Museums
> National Army Museum
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Royalty
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Sights
> British Museum
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> Enfield Lock
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> Enfield
> Fine Art Finder
> Artists
> English School
> Services
> Royal Navy
EDITORS COMMENTS
The print depicts an Altered Pattern 1842.758 inch calibre percussion rifle musket, manufactured in 1854 by the English School of the 19th century. This particular weapon is housed at the National Army Museum in London. During the Crimean War (1854-1856), many Pattern 1842 Muskets that had been stored in Britain were converted into rifle muskets for use exclusively by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. The process involved cutting rifling grooves into the barrel, enlarging its calibre from . 753in to . 758in. These altered muskets fired a large conical-shaped bullet designed by Pritchett, fitted with an iron cup. This specific example of the altered Pattern 1842 Rifle Musket has three rifle grooves and is sighted up to a distance of 1,000 yards (914m). Externally resembling the Minié Rifle, it faced criticism due to its fierce recoil caused by firing a heavier bullet compared to its smoothbore predecessor. The conversion process began with an initial order for 1,200 conversions in April 1852 and was followed by subsequent orders. Some rifles were rifled with four grooves similar to those found on Minié Rifles while others featured three grooves like those seen on Pattern 1853 Enfield rifles. Although rendered obsolete by advancements such as rifle muskets and expanding bullets, this altered Pattern 1842 Rifle Musket serves as a testament to technological adaptations made during times of war.
MADE IN THE UK
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Basket.
