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  • Enfield Tompion display
  • Enfield tompion from Lee's Headquarters Museum, Gettysburg

Enfield Rifle Tompion recovered from Fredericksburg Battlefield (SOLD)

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Product Description

This is another nice item being offered, it is the remains of an Enfield rifle tompion. The cylindrical device has a brass top cap with an inner metal shank. Originally, it would have been wrapped with cork, but being dug it is long gone. These devices were utilized to plug the muzzle of the Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle-muskets to keep dirt and moisture out of the barrel. It was recovered years ago on the Fredericksburg, Virginia Battlefield.

On November 14, 1862, Union General Ambrose Burnside sent a corps to occupy the vicinity of Falmouth near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Lee reacted by entrenching his army on the heights behind the town. On December 13, after pontoon bridges were laid, Union forces crossed the Rappahannock River under fire.

Burnside mounted a series of futile frontal assaults on Prospect Hill and Marye's Heights that resulted in staggering casualties. On December 15, Burnside called off the offensive and recrossed the river, ending the failed campaign.

In my book “Battle of Gettysburg – The Relics, Artifacts & Souvenirs”, I show one of these tompions which came out of Lee’s Headquarters Museum (see pictures). It is in nice condition and there are remnants of the cork and dirt inside the brass cap.

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SKU:
0815211
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$3.50 (Fixed shipping cost)