I just recieved an antique muzzleloader as a gift and I' m hoping someone here can tell me something about it. It is a military sidelock percussion rifle. The markings on the lock read " Tower 1857" there is also an engraving of a crown with the letters Q-R under the crown. Can anyone give me any info on this rifle?

It sounds as though you have a British Enfield service rifle made just after the Crimean War. It should be a .58 caliber rifled arm with rifling designed to fire the British version of the Minie ball. The TOWER mark indicates the lock was manufactured at the Tower of London, and the other marking may be a stylized monogram of Queen Victoria, indicating the rifle is Crown property.

Thanks for the info. Do you have any idea what it is worth?

After further reading, I think you have a Model 1853 Enfield. They were used by both sides in the Civil War, but no idea on value. You need to take it to an antique arms appraiser. Value depends on two things: Condition, and rarity. I have no idea where you live exactly, but there is a place called the Sharpsburg Arsenal in Sharpsburg, MD., right next to the Antietam National battlefield that has a lot of Civil War ordnance. I' d bet they could appraise it for you. http://www.sharpsburg-arsenal.com

Thanks for the link. I checked out the site and they have some really interesting stuff. I don' t know when I' ll make it over to Sharpsburg, considering the current weather, but I' m gonna shoot some digital pics and email them to obtain an appraisal. I checked out some pics of a 63 Enfield and my rifle has a lot of the same proof marks. Again thanks for all of your help.

Good luck! If in good condition, I' d bet that rifle would be fun to shoot!!