SNIDER-ENFIELD 3 Band Rifle…………..SOLD

 Standard 3 Band Snider-Enfield Rifle

Of normal configuration with standard 36″  long Barrel.  The bore is 3 grove and in far better condition than the outside.  This is a Steel barrel retained by 3 blackened barrel bands.  Each band is marked with  the “broad arrow / WD / crown /33 /B” inspection mark and retained by a domed screw. The front band also has the forward sling swivel attached.  The rear sling swivel ( which looks to be a replacement) is affixed to the front of the brass trigger guard.  Underneath the barrel located in the for-end is a full length cleaning rod.

The rifle is 55″ in overall length. It is chambered in the .577 caliber.  The chamber although blackened looks to be in good condition.  The swiveling breech block is marked with another WD inspection mark.  The crown of the breech has the simple “III” stamped into it. This identifies the rifle as a Mark 3 Snider Enfield with a steel barrel.  The mechanism functions perfectly well although the trigger is a little ‘agricultural’. Note: cracking observed in the shroud of the ejecting rod/spring – which does not effect its function.  The firing pin functions correctly and has a strong return spring within.  There is an excellent broad arrow on the underside of the checkered opening button.

The lock is pitted but the marks still visible.  To the rear of the lock is a clear Victorian VR cypher and in front of the hammer is the “ Crown / arrow / BSA & Co / 1871″  The fixing screw for the hammer is arrow marked.  Although the lock is pitted the hammer is in good condition, the checkering on the thumb-piece is in good condition as well.  The striking surface of the hammer shows signs of heavy usage.  The fore sight at the muzzle is the single block type with “inverted ” V” which also act s as bayonet attachment block for a simple socket bayonet.  There is a bayonet with this rifle but someone has chromed it and one is not happy about that at this point. On the obverse side to the lock are the fixing screws which are both arrow marked, and like many of the other screws showing on the rifle fairly neat, with clean slots and blackened heads.

The stock is in excellent condition and would only benefit from the occasional wipe over with a waxy cloth to maintain its now excellent patina. The trigger guard and the nose cap are both brass and highly polished.  The butt-plate is also brass and shows the remnants of unit markings on the top of the tang which could read “R. I/ & P.D./ 3172” but the letters are extremely rubbed.   Overall, this is an attractive classic early breech loader in it basic form, used by the armies of the Victorian British Empire all over the world, for an extremely long period of time.

Rifle sold under section 58(ii) of the firearms act, as an antique and collectible item.

Stock No  LG /SE3

£ 800………SOLD

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