Percussion .656 inch Pattern 1859 musket, dated 1864, for Indian Native Infantry

Made by Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield.

This is an example of the second pattern of smooth-bore musket introduced for Indian native infantry after the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859), when the provision of rifled arms was discontinued for Indian troops. The Pattern 1859 Musket differed from the Pattern 1858 in having a heavier barrel and a simplified foresight. Unusually for weapons destined for the Indian Army, 14,000 of these muskets were manufactured at Enfield and hence had interchangeable parts.