Pattern 1858 Enfield Naval Rifle
Royal Small Arms Factory · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1858
Also known as: P1858 Naval Rifle, Enfield Naval Rifle, Pattern 1858 Naval, Two-Band Enfield Naval
Overview
The Pattern 1858 Enfield Naval Rifle was a .577 caliber percussion two-band short rifle approved in November 1857 and produced from December 1858. A naval-service development of the Pattern 1853 rifled musket, it carried a heavier barrel rifled with five grooves rather than the army pattern's three, with the bore intended to improve accuracy and durability for shipboard use. It mounted a saber-bayonet lug and a ladder rear sight graduated to 1,100 yards. Like other Enfield arms of the period it was widely exported and was imported in numbers by both sides during the American Civil War.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3856 g (136.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1240 mm (48.82") |
| Barrel Length | 838 mm (32.99") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Muzzle Velocity | 274 m/s (899 fps) |
| Effective Range | 274 m (300 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1006 m (1100 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 3 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 1219 mm (47.99") |
| Number of Grooves | 5 |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .577 Caliber Minié Ball · primary — also known as 0.577 in, 14.7 mm, .577 Pritchett
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Rifled Barrel, Muzzle Loaded, Percussion Cap, Heavy Barrel, Ladder Rear Sight, Saber Bayonet Lug, Ramrod, Two Band
Service history
Operators
- Royal Navy · adopted 1858 · as Pattern 1858
- Confederate States Army
- Union Army / United States
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Production years: 1858-1867
Approved November 1857; production began December 1858 at RSAF Enfield with London, Birmingham and Liège contract makers.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Discontinued: 1867
Notes
Barrel is 33 in (838 mm); rifled with five grooves, distinguishing it from the three-groove army patterns. Weight is roughly 8 lb 8 oz. Maximum range reflects the leaf sight graduated to 1,100 yards. Made at RSAF Enfield and by London, Birmingham and Liège contractors.
Background
The five-groove rifling and heavier barrel set the naval pattern apart from the standard three-groove infantry Enfield, and surviving Confederate-imported examples often bear JS/anchor inspection marks from the blockade-running arms trade.