Enfield Pattern 1856

United Kingdom (1856)

United Kingdom

Year: 1856

Manufacturer(s): Royal Small Arms Factory / Enfield Lock - UK

The Enfield Pattern 1856 was nothing more than a shorter, two-banded form of the original, full-length Pattern of 1853.

Detailing the development and operational history of the Enfield Pattern 1856 Rifle-Musket Long Gun. Entry last updated on 9/12/2016; Authored by Staff Writer; Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com

The British Enfield Pattern 1856 followed the original Pattern 1853 into service in an effort to produce a more "infantry-friendly" long gun. The original forms were effective man-killers to be sure however their primary physical restriction lay in their length which made them unwieldy for late-19 Century warfare. Now that barrel rifling was permeating long guns and infantry warfare was done at closer ranges than before, the length of barrels could be reduced to an extent (at the cost of range). This led to many full-length guns being cut down to more manageable sizes - particularly valued by forward-operating scouts and mounted infantry.

The Pattern 1856 was reduced by some six inches when compared to the earlier Pattern 1853. The barrel now measured 33 inches long. It continued use of the .577 ball as its ammunition and operated from a percussion cap action. The primary distinguishing mark of the line (beyond its obvious reduced length) was its two-banded design, these metal bands used to clasp the wooden stock to the barrel assembly and form a rigid, robust framework. A ram rod was contained under the barrel in the usual way and the action took place near the rear of the gun. The shoulder stock was integrated to the gun in traditional fashion with the grip area formed between it and the forend. Underslung slings allowed for a strap to be affixed and eased transporting of the rifle when on-the-march.

Both sides of the American Civil War (1861-1865) procured the Pattern 1856 and, of course, the British Empire fielded it in number - typically issued to its rank of sergeants and skirmish troops. Manufacture was by way of Enfield of England and Tower Armories.

Any available statistics for the Enfield Pattern 1856 Rifle-Musket Long Gun are showcased in the areas immediately below. Categories include basic specifications covering initial year of service, country-of-origin and manufacture(s) involved in bringing the weapon to market. Other qualities showcased are related to physical values such as the internal action, available calibers / chamberings, weight and lengths. Global operators are also presented in A-to-Z format as are any model variants available to the series.

Supported Mission Types:

Frontline Issuance

Special Forces

Close Quarters Battle

Sniper

Designated Marksman/Sharpshooter

Suppressed/Silenced

Area Effect/Suppression

Indirect Fire

Airspace Denial

Anti-Material

Attachment Weapon

Aircraft-Mounted

Vehicle-Mounted

Antique/Collectors

Prototype/Development

Global Operators:
Brazil; Confederate States; Japan; United Kingdom; United States

Structural - Internal Design, Dimensions, and Weights:

Operation
ACTION

System
Percussion Lock; Single-Shot

Operation
CALIBER(S)

(Model / Chambering Dependent)
.577 Minie ball paper cartidge

Operation
FEED

(Model / Chambering Dependent)
Single-Shot

Length
OVERALL

Millimeters
1,398 mm

Inches
55.04 in

Length
BARREL

Millimeters
838 mm

Inches
32.99 in

Structural
WEIGHT

Pounds (Unloaded)
8.82 lb

Kilograms (Unloaded)
4.00 kg

Ranged
Sights

Arrangement
Adjustable Rear; Fixed Front

Operating Performance (Typical):

Performance
MUZZLE
VELOCITY

Feet-per-Second
850 ft/sec

Meters-per-Second
259 m/sec

Performance
Rate-of-Fire

Rounds-per-Minute
3 rpm

Performance
RANGE

Feet
2,500 ft

Meters
762 m

Yards
833 yd

Variants: Series Model Variants
• Pattern 1856 - Base Series Designation; based on the model of 1853.