1850's Enfield Rifle Regimental Service Number Help

[garys39]

Hi, I know this is rifle is out of the normal scope of this sites time frame but could any body help with the following.
I bought it today at my local car boot sale, this was one of two rifles a chap was selling, both the same though the other was in poorer condition but Tower marked and dated, I picked up one as another man picked up the other.
A deal was struck at £50 for mine and the other went for £40.
Mine is unmarked on the lock, has a faint small circle on the stock, but marked on the trigger guard RTM304 and on the butt plate R.S over 45, might these be regimental service/issue marks ?
Photos follow.
Thanks Gary
PS I also bought the two boxes in the photos, which are WWII German issue.

[garys39]

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[garys39]

Lock

[garys39]

Trigger guard

[garys39]

Butt plate

[BrentNunns]

Hi Gary

I am no expert, and have only handled a couple of these 1856 Pattern 2 band rifles. They were used extensively here in New Zealand by the British Regiments during the New Zealand wars of 1860. They were generally used by Sergeants and Light Infantry, the rest were armed with the 1853 Pattern 3 band rifle. Sadly when the British Regiments departed New Zealand they took their rifles with them. As such are rare to find here.
I have a magazine artical from a local respected historian, which pictures the Butt plate of a 1853 Enfield 3 band rifle (dated 1856) which has 40 over the number 802, representing 40th Regiment of Foot (Somersetshire) and the rack number 802.
Just a wild guess, 45th Sikhs (also known as Rattray Sikhs and then as 3 Sikh) They were raised in 1856 initially as a military police battalion and then it was transformed into a regular infantry battalion.

Hope this helps
Brent