.577” Ordnance issue Enfield Snider MkII* three band service rifle dated 1864.
£1550 SALE £1100
.577” Ordnance issue Enfield Snider MkII* three band service rifle dated 1864. Lock fitted with correct flat face hammer is engraved with Crowned VR to the tail with 1864 ENFIELD to the front of the hammer next to broad arrow ordnance ownership mark. Walnut stock with regulation pattern brass furniture and Snider jag head clearing rod to the underside is struck to the right hand side with an RM ENFIELD roundel over 1st class arms mark. Ordnance proofed barrel with Crowned TP marks is rifled with three grooves on the Minnie principal and is fitted with a ladder rear sight graduated to 950 yards. BSA manufactured shoe and block is stamped II* with TP Tower Proof to the receiver ring. Designed as a stop gap weapon, converted from P53 Enfield muzzle loaders, in this case a 4th model Pattern 1853 rifle musket, the Snider was intended to serve with the army until the purpose built Martini Henry breech loader could be developed and manufactured. In the end the Snider was to be the front line weapon of the army for well over 10 years and in fact saw as long a service as the Martini did in the end. The MkII* being a factory manufactured Mk1* rifle with parallel side extractor etc rather than an uprated Mk1. In good condition with good bore and mechanics, a nice sharp stock and much blue finish. A nice example of a classic mid / late Victorian British army issue weapon.
