Rifle 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

Fitzwilliam Bewicke-Copley wedding

Scene at the wedding of Lord Fitzwilliam (Major Hubert Francis Fitzwilliam Brabazon Foljambe) to the Hon Gladys Bewicke-Copley, with an archway of swords provided by the Royal Horse Guards, who acted as guard of honour. They went to live in Pont Street, London. Sadly, Lord Fitzwilliam was killed in action in September 1914 while serving in France with the King's Royal Rifle Corps during the First World War

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III*. 303 in bolt action rifle

Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III*. 303 in bolt action rifle, 1917; introduced in 1916 and differing from the Mk III in having the magazine cut-off omitted; two oil bottles in butt trap. Date: 1917

© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library

1916, 1917, 303, Action, Bolt, Bottles, Butt, Cut, Differing, Enfield, Iii, Introduced, Lee, Magazine, Mk, Oil, Omitted, Rifle, Short, Smle, Trap