Original item: Only one Available. This is a very interesting British Snider Shotgun, which looks to have either been made for or sent to Egypt at some point, where it was put into Police Service.  We do not know whether these were converted with new barrels and stocks from rifles, or whether they were purpose made. We have found some reference to these online, and there is division on whether they were made as short rifles and smoothbored, or whether they started out as Shotguns.

We definitely believe that this gun, or at least the barrel, was purpose made smoothbore, and then maybe had a stock made or at least altered locally.  The trigger guard and butt plate are of iron, not the usual brass, and there is a locally made sling swivel on the butt stock, as well as a clip ring on the iron strap under the barrel, much like on a sporting gun. It has a standard "barleycorn" front sight, and a fixed notch rear sight. The metalwork does show a lot of wear, often caused when sand was used to clean the weapons in Egypt.

The original markings on the lock plate look to have been completely removed when it was accepted by the Egyptian Police in the early 20th century. They added an E. P. / CRESCENT MOON marking over the Eastern Arabic date of ١٩١٣, indicating acceptance in 1913. The markings on the "shoe" of the Snider action are worn away, so we cannot tell what type it is, except it is definitely a Mk I or II, as is does not have the latching breech block. There are proof marks on the receiver and breech block from the Birmingham Proof house, and the top of the breech block is marked SNIDER PATENT, with the correct S ARROW Snider proof mark.

The barrel also bears British Proof Marks, which are somewhat worn. They are the correct Birmingham 1855-1868 proof marks, including the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "proof" and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" marks. There is also the CROWN / BP definitive proof, and a 25 marking, indicating "25 bore" or about .571". To the left of these is a partial NOT FOR BALL, which indicates that the bore is only suitable for shot, not bullets, most likely because the barrel has a choke in it to help the shot spread better. This also indicates that it was definitely made as a smoothbore barrel, and not later drilled out.

The lock still functions correctly, holding and half cock and firing at full. The smoothbore barrel has a lovely bore, and does not look to have been used much. The stock is in good service used condition, with a lovely dark red brown color, and some traces of past markings, indicating that it definitely has been worn down over the years. It does not show any major structural issues that we can see. 

A very interesting Snider Shotgun marked to the Egyptian Police. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1865
Caliber: 25 Gauge - about .571"
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 25 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 43 3/4 inches
Action: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Side Hinge Rotating Breech block

History of the Snider rifle- Jacob Snider, an American from New York, developed this breech loading system for the P-1853 Enfield, the most prolific imported Percussion rifle in use by both the North and South during the U.S. Civil War. When the British Board of Ordnance appointed a Select Committee in 1864 the Snider system was swiftly adopted with the first breech loaders being issued in 1865 to British forces.

Improved in 1867 by the use of Colonel Boxer's center fire brass bodied cartridge, the rifle was used very effectively in the Abyssinian Campaign of 1868. The system utilized a hinged breech block with an internal firing pin assembly that permitted the use of a self contained cartridge of lead bullet in cardboard, and, after 1867, brass casing. This highly efficient conversion system prolonged the active life of the P-1853 rifles up until 1871 when the Martini System was adopted. Snider rifles saw continued use throughout the Empire but were officially obsoleted by the late 1880s.

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