Original Item: Only One Available. This rifle is 100% all British manufactured 1861-Dated Three-Band Snider-Enfield rifle, with a fantastic look! This example was purchased directly from a Veteran of the War in Afghanistan, who brought this back in 2017, and comes with a copy of the original bring back documentation. These old rifles had remained there since the colonial wars of the Victorian era, and in many cases were still well cared for. In some cases they were actually still in use! Many similar old British guns were sent back home during the 2000s by both service members as well as civilians involved in the conflict.

This rifle started life in 1863 as a .577 caliber three band ENFIELD Percussion Rifle model of P-1853. The lock is plate stamped "CROWN" over V.R. and 1861 / ENFIELD , indicating manufacture at the Royal Small Arms factory at Enfield Lock. This was a military issue, as indicated by the Royal Cypher monogram. It also has the correct CROWN / BROAD ARROW "lock viewer's" mark and additional proofs as well on the lock plate. The barrel has British markings and proof marks, and the whole rifle is in lovely condition.

There is a faded Enfield cartouche on the right side of the buttstock. Overall the metalwork shows some rust peppering that has been cleaned away, but not enough to seriously impact the markings. There is the correct II / * / * stamped on top of the breech ring, indicating it is the MkII** version of the breech. This was the last version before the "latch" was introduced, though it does have a small "button" at the bottom of the breech plug that grips the breech block, which is fully intact and functional. The breech block itself has some proof marks, including a BROAD ARROW / WD War Department proof, also seen on the breech ring. There are additional proofs on the action, and on many of the other components as well.

The metalwork overall has a lovely polished patina, showing some past oxidation in areas, but no major rust or other damage. The lock still functions at half and full cock, firing at full. The breech unlocks correctly, with an intact firing pin, and can be pulled back to eject spent cartridge casings, though there is some old grease in the works, so it moves slowly. The bore still shows three groove rifling in areas, however there is some stubborn oxidation and fouling towards the middle of the barrel, which a copper bore brush was not able to remove. It looks like the bore was not properly cleaned after last use, and then exposed to moisture.

The stock is in lovely condition, and looks to have been reconditioned and varnished long ago. There are some pressure dents, scratches, and other signs of service, but it has a lovely color. Both sling swivels are present, as well as a cleaning rod, which looks to be a replacement. The rear sight is present and fully functional, still bearing western numerals on the right side, while the leaf itself has had all markings worn away.

This rifle was brought back from Afghanistan by Craig C. Pearson of South Lyon, Michigan. It comes with the original bringback AFFIDAVIT from Bagram Airfield, identifying the pistol as an "Enfield Snider", manufactured in 1861, with the Serial number N/A as the rifle itself has no serial. The affidavit is signed by Pearson and dated 12 Aug 2017. It has additional signatures regarding customs clearance, and a CENTCOM preclearance stamp dated 20170812.

An All British P-1853 Converted Snider Rifle made at ENFIELD that saw service during the Anglo-Afghan wars, and then stayed behind to be found by a USGI during the 21st century. in splendid condition and ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1861 - Converted Later
Caliber: .58 inches
Ammunition Type: .577 Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 36.5 inches
Overall Length: 54 inches
Action: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Side Hinge Rotating Breech block

More on the P-1853 Rifle-Musket: The Enfield Pattern 1853 rifle-musket (also known as the Pattern 1853 Enfield, P53 Enfield, and Enfield rifle-musket) was a .577 calibre Minié-type muzzle-loading rifle-musket, used by the British Empire from 1853 to 1867, after which many Enfield 1853 rifle-muskets were converted to (and replaced in service by) the cartridge-loaded Snider-Enfield rifle.

The term "rifle-musket" originally referred to muskets with the smooth-bored barrels replaced with rifled barrels. The length of the barrels were unchanged, allowing the weapons to be fired by rank, since a long rifle was necessary to enable the muzzles of the second rank of soldiers to project beyond the faces of the men in front. The weapon would also be sufficiently long when fitted with a bayonet to be effective against cavalry. Such guns manufactured with rifled barrels, muzzle loading, single shot, and utilizing the same firing mechanism, also came to be called rifle-muskets.

The 39 in (99 cm) barrel had three grooves, with a 1:78 rifling twist, and was fastened to the stock with three metal bands, so that the rifle was often called a "three band" model.

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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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

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