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Enfield Rifle

The family of British Service Rifles and Carbines introduced during the 1850’s and 1860’s in 0.577 calibre marked the culmination of the soldiers’ muzzle loading firearm.

The Enfield Rifle

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Category: Enfield Rifle
Written by Chambers's Journal
From: Chambers's Journal, 16 April 1859

It is surprising, until within the last few years, how little alteration or improvement was made in the firearms used by the army. Old systems, and the non-expansive natures of those in authority, naturally retarded progress. Many of us may remember the prejudice which existed against the introduction of the Minié rifle, and the partiality which was shewn to Brown Bess. 'It did its work in the Peninsula, and you had better not make any change,' was the remark of many a veteran warrior. Brown Bess is now amongst the things which were, but are not; whilst its successor, the Minié, has also had to haul down its colours to the infallible Enfield Rifle, which may be said to wear at present the champion's belt. How long it will be before the day of the Enfield rifle is past, and 'breech-loaders' usurp its place, is amongst the mysteries of the future.

It is our present business to describe some of the wonders connected with the construction of the Enfield rifle; and we will now ask the reader to accompany us from London to the Enfield factory.

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War Department Notes

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Category: Enfield Rifle
Written by G.C. Holden

In the mid 1860's a fortunate event occurred, the vast majority of the activities of the Ordnance Department of the British Empire was captured on paper. That is to say that an immense amount of information in the form of written descriptions, original drawings, official printed reports, circulars, proformas & tables etc were bound together in the shape of 5 handsome leather covered volumes.

  • Notes On Small Arms 1866. G.C. Holden, Assistant Superintendent of Stores.
  • Notes On Laboratory Course Section A. 1865. G.C. Holden, Assistant Superintendent of Stores.
  • Notes On Laboratory Course Section B.C.D. 1865. G.C. Holden, Assistant Superintendent of Stores.
  • Notes On Royal Carriage Department. 1866. G.C. Holden, Assistant Superintendent of Stores.
  • Notes On Ordnance. G.C. Holden, Assistant Superintendent of Stores.
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Enfield Paper Cartridges

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Category: Enfield Rifle
Written by D.B. Minshall

For today's researcher into Enfield ammunition, the definitive reference is "Rifle Ammunition. Being Notes on the Manufactures connected therewith as conducted in The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich" by Arthur B. Hawes, Captain (r.h.p.), Bengal Army and published in London, 1859. Hawes writes in his introduction: "These notes, intended at first only for myself, were, I am happy so say, useful to others; and from that reason more than any other, I am induced now to offer them, imperfect as they are, for the perusal of all who feel interested in the preparation of ammunition of different descriptions, with the exterior of which all soldiers are so familiar."

This article on the manufacture of paper cartridges for the muzzle loading Enfield rifle draws from Hawes' work and other contemporary sources.

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