Pattern 1853 Enfield Musket - Tang Repair

[Patrick Chadwick]

Also, there are no barrel band springs.

Depending on when it was made, there don't have to be, It might have screwed bands (normal, or with recessed screw heads - known as Baddeley bands). Once again, this is shooting in the dark if we don't get any photos.

Oops! Sorry, overlooked the link.

Yes, you have a P53 with Baddeley bands, referred to by Skennerton as the 4th model.
The filed-off step on the wood behind the lower band is definitely "Bubbary", as the step locates the band.

The lockplate is marked 1861 over Tower. Tower-marked rifles were rifles delivered by contractors and the lockplates were marked with a crown, but without a V.R beneath the crown, as they were not produced in a government arsenal.

Numbers that are only visible internally - such as on the inside of the lockplate - are contractor's or assembler's batch numbers that are no longer visible when the rifle has been fully assembled, and thus nothing to do with the service number of the rifle.

Likeswise the GP on the inside of the lockplate and the CDS on the inletting for the trigger guard are initials of the contractors (locksmiths, stockmakers) and nothing to do with the official ownership of the gun. Referring back to the post by Butlers Rangers, it is conceivable that the components were delivered from Belgium.

You have a contractor-made Enfield P53, 4th Model, many of which (according to Skennerton) were used for conversion to Snider breechloaders. It has, unfortunately, been messed around with, so the collector value is relatively low for the type.

But any rifle of that vintage is worth caring for and keeping or bringing back to good shooting condition.