Snider-Enfield Mk III Carbine to the Wicklow Rifle Volunteers (Sold)
Created on June 29th 2021
Good Mk III Snider-Enfield Carbine to the Wicklow Rifles 
Of Standard specifications as a Mk III Snider-Enfield Carbine in .577 Snider. Single shot breech-loader with patented Snider swinging block mechanism . Three quarter stocked in a modified British Walnut stock. Overall the carbine measures 38″ in overall length. The round barrel measures 19.1/4″ in length, The trigger Pull to centre is 13.7/8″ The butt has a brass butt-plate with a trap for cleaning equipment.
This action and barrel which make up this carbine being one of the Mark III weapons, was purpose built and not converted from a muzzle loader. The stock on the other hand is a bit m ore of a conundrum. Everything is as it should be, including the two very specific storage holes within the butt for the two piece cleaning rod – however ! There is an anomaly ! At the very tip of the for-end there is a walnut in-fill, commonly seen on shortened rifle stocks. The hole which has been filled is what would have been the cleaning rod channel and the timber used is an absolute match to the rest of the stock material. Why then ? It is peculiar that it should have both the compartment under the brass butt-plate trap for the short cleaning rod and the filled channel in the front for the full length rod. – I have no explanation – it is not however even two stocks – it is a one piece stock. Intriguing n’est pas! The only line of thought which that has started to form in my tiny brain is that the weapon is marked with the Yeomanry WD code for the Wicklow rifle volunteers. Volunteer units were equipped by private funds from the head of the regiment – perhaps there was some odd arrangement to save money involved in this but, I don’t even see how this would have worked because the work within the butt would have to be done in the factory in practical terms – it would be very difficult to drill after the event and even then you have to bear in mind that the rifle stocks were not drilled in this way at all ! T’is a brain teaser to be sure….. but that is part of the fascination with collecting anyway.
Ignoring all the above, from a distance of two foot or so it is impossible to see these workings and to all and sundry it is a carbine in the true sense of the word. As the barrel on the Mk III is steel is is so marked with the normal plethora of markings expected on such a barrel and action. Corrosion has also had some effect on the exposed surfaces of the barrel and action causing a degrading of the surfaces and an obscurity to the markings. The “III” is clear on the top of the breech and the top of the block is very clean, even showing some small amount of blue. Enfield acceptance marks and broad arrow over “WD” are easily discerned. The mechanics of the block including the extractor all function properly.
The flush blued lock plate has a minor patch of corrosion similar to the barrel and breech forward of the hammer. To the rear is the clear Victorian crown over “V.R.” In front of the hammer is a “crown/ inverted arrow / 1870 / ENFIELD.” Plain blued hammer with cross-checked thumb-piece. Brass trigger guard including chained firing pin protector. Two screws for leather sight cover in position on the fore-end. Carbine sights graduated from 400 to 600 yards. On the obverse to the lock, at the rear of the flat, is a contractors name which is not easily read, possibly the stock maker, it could be; ” G. HUBARDT”
The last part of detective work which can be gathered from the evidence in front of us, are the stock markings on the RHS of the butt. They read as follows; “1881” Then at 90 degrees; ” “2 C / B / 3 81″ Evidence of last official issue ? The brass butt-plate top tang is marked as follows; ” broad arrow / WD” “Y / Ww/ 225” Y = Yeomanry. WW is the code for Wicklow. The bore has excellent rifling with some small patches of pitting. The woodwork is excellent and not disturbed in any way. Finish is mixed with strong losses also turning from silver to plumb brown. A very honest carbine with some hints to its history.
No License Required
£ 1175. (Sold)
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