Item Description
Original item: Only one Available. This came to us from a recent gun show, and did not come out of Nepal. This is a very late production Three-Band Snider-Enfield rifle, which looks to have only seen light use during its service life. It is marked 1871 / ENFIELD on the Lock Plate under the CROWN / (Broad Arrow) "Lock Viewer's mark" and also carries the stamping of the CROWN / V.R. across its tail. This indicates manufacture at the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock, which would later go on to manufacture many famous British Long arms. The V.R. proof indicates this rifle was made for the British Military, and was not an export or colonial service rifle.
In great shape, it is fitted with a Mark III action, as marked on the "shoe" over the chamber. It is also marked on left side of the shoe and the breech block (Broad Arrow) / WD War Department proofs along with Enfield inspection proofs and other markings. The breech block is the final locking version, and still locks very well, with no mechanical deficiencies to note. The barrel still has the original proof marks on the left side under the sight, including STEEL, CROWN / VR / IP, a War Dept. marking, and other proofs. There are additional proofs on many of the other components as well.
The metalwork overall has a lovely polished patina, showing just a bit of past oxidation. The lock still functions correctly, holding and half cock, and firing full, allowing the breech to open at half cock. The breech unlocks correctly, with an intact firing pin, and can be pulled back to eject spent cartridge casings. There is also a very nice protector for the firing pin, used to prevent damage during transit. The barrel shows crisp three groove rifling, and is in excellent condition, looking to have seen very little use, if any. There is just a bit of light overall oxidation haze from storage.
The stock is in excellent condition. showing only light wear from use and storage, and has a lovely red brown color. It also shows lovely flame figuring in places over the entire length, making it a truly attractive piece of wood. There is even a crisp R (Crown) M / (Broad Arrow) / W D / ENFIELD cartouche on the right side of the stock, probably one of the best that we have sever seen. Both sling swivels are present, and move easily, and it has the correct Snider cleaning rod without an enlarged shank. The rear sight is present with the slider, however the sight cap is missing. We were not able to find any other missing parts.
A great example of a late production Snider rifle, probably the best that we have ever seen. Ready to research and display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: 1871
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
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.
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
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.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
