Two Band Snider-Enfield Rifle by BSA & Co……..SOLD

A Good 1866 Pattern  Mk III  Two Band Snider-Enfield by BSA & Co dated 1872

Chambered for the .577 Snider cartridge with a 5 grove bore.  Very Good Strong clear rifling with no pitting but light frosting with crisp edges to the lands.  The action functions well with two-stage hammer and a good positive trigger release.  Flat plain lock with a crisp crowned ” V.R.” cypher behind the hammer, and clear manufacturers details and date, reading  “B.S.A & Co” over 1872 with a crowned inspectors mark above.   The hammer retaining screw has a clear War Department broard arrow stamped on it.  The two large lock holding screws on the other side of the stock also have the arrows. Stamped into the stock underneath the rear bolt is a clear “4”

Overall length  40.1/2″  Barrel length 30.1/2″.   Full length Walnut stock with two barrel bands (both Birmingham inspected) The stock has two sling swivels, and a case coloured steel nose cap under the barrel which still retains vivid colours. There is a clear Birmingham “W.D. & broad arrow” cartouche on the RHS of the walnut butt stock with is a clear figure “1”  On the other side parallel with the steel but-plate is the number “38” – possibly a rack number.

Plumb brown steel butt plate with Birmingham inspector marked tang, held by three screws, two with WD arrows heads.  Full length cleaning rod which screws into stock internally.

The round blued barrel has a simple regulation front sight and rear ramp sight which is WD marked and inspected.  Laying down the sight is graduated to 400 yards when the sight is standing up the graduations run from 500 to 1000 yards.  The rear sight has many Birmingham inspectors stamped on it.

The breech area is festooned with inspectors stamps for Birmingham and also those with clear crossed Flags and “V.R”s  The top of the breech has a clear “III” centrally stamped into it.  The moving part of the breech has “B.S.A & Co” and clear “W.D. > <” (Sold out of Service marks)   The first stage of the barrel is equally adorned with stamps and the word “STEEL” along the RHS of it, including the “W.D. ><” mark.

There is a lot of colour remaining on this rifle on all parts, even some blueing on the underside of the barrel.  the trigger guard has also retained a strong percentage of its blue.  At the rear of the trigger guard, behind the rear sling swivel there is also a sold out of service arrow mark.  On the stock adjacent to those marks are more Birmingham inspectors marks.  Every mark tells a story.  Where the blue has faded the balance of the finish has turned through plumb brown to a deep brown.  The stock seems to be in good condition for its age, with little sign of excessive usage.  Wood to metal fit is excellent.  The usual tell-tale signs are around the breech area in the woodwork showing that the user has had to lever it open in the heat of battle (or frustration ! ) with his bayonet.  The action opens and ejects well.  I notice that the front of the stock is from another rifle and has been joined under the center band very well, – possibly in armoury ?

This rifle is sold as an Antique and as such is covered under section 58 of the Home Office guidance and as such does not require a current Firearms Certificate as the ammunition is no longer commercially available; to that end the weapon does not carry up to date proof marks and if the new owner should wish to fire it, it will require proofing and entering on a valid firearms certificate.  A good Mark III Snider-Enfield looking to join a collection.

£1050.

Comments Off on Two Band Snider-Enfield Rifle by BSA & Co……..SOLD