Pattern 1853 Enfield
| Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle-musket | |
|---|---|
1853 Enfield rifle-musket | |
| Type | Rifled musket |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1853–1867 |
| Used by | |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | RSAF Enfield |
| Designed | 1853 |
| Unit cost | $20 (1861) |
| Produced | 1853–1867 |
| No. built | approx. 1,500,000 |
| Variants | Carbine |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 9.5 lb (4.3 kg) unloaded |
| Length | 55 in (1,400 mm) |
| Barrel length | 39 in (990 mm) |
| Cartridge | .550 expanding conical bullet |
| Calibre | .577 in (14.7 mm) |
| Action | Percussion lock |
| Rate of fire | User dependent, usually 3-4 rounds a minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,250 ft/s (380 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 300 yd (270 m) |
| Maximum firing range | 1,250 yd (1,140 m) |
| Feed system | Muzzle-loaded |
| Sights | Adjustable ramp rear sights, fixed blade front sight |
The Enfield Pattern 1853 rifle-musket (also known as the Pattern 1853 Enfield, P53 Enfield, and Enfield rifle-musket) was a .577 calibre Minié-type muzzle-loading rifled musket, used by the British Empire from 1853 to 1867; after which many were replaced in service by the cartridge-loaded Snider–Enfield rifle.