1858 Gallery

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

© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library

The Cherbourg Fetes, the Pera leaving Southampton

The "Pera" with members of the House of Commons on board, leaving Southampton to take part in the Cherbourg Fetes, a naval review to celebrate a meeting of Queen Victoria with the Emperor and Empress of France in August 1858. Date: 1858

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

1858, Board, Boat, Channel, Cherbourg, Departing, Fetes, Leaving, Members, Mps, Naval, Navy, Pera, Sailing, Sea, Sep19, Ship, Ships, Solent, Southampton

Interior of Golden Temple at Amritsar, 1858

Interior of the Golden Temple at Amritsar, India (spelt here as Umritzir), 1858. Gurus reading the Grunt'h (or Granth). The Guru is sitting before the Grunt'h (sacred text) which lies open on a stool before him, covered with a cloth, with a chowree lying across it (an ox tail used as a flyflap). Music is kept up without intermission assisted by a chorus of voices. Date: 1858

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans