M1875 Portuguese Contract Snider Enfield Carbine……..SOLD

A Good Example of the famous Snider-Enfield Carbine

with a twist…….    This particular Snider-Enfield was supplied under contract to the Portuguese Government in 1875.  Made by B.S.A.& M.Co, approval was given by the government of the day as Portugal was considered an ally to Great Britain.  These were purpose built Mark III weapons, not conversions.

Produced in the standard configuration for a cavalry carbine with a five-grove barrel.  Chambered in .577 this rifle has a very good bore, with strong definition and little corrosion worth mentioning.  Overall the carbine is a nominal 37″ in length.  The carbine length barrel is 19.1/8″ to the breech face.  The breech being clearly marked upon the top with the simple “III” denoting Mark Three.  The trigger “pull” length is 13.3/8″.  The carbine is stocked in a fine piece of Walnut in its natural colour.  The only alteration to the standard configuration of the stock is the addition of, or extension of the trigger guard, with and extra steel fitting which retains a swivelling iron lanyard ring.

The brass but-plate has a top tang which is marked as follows; “R 3  / C  / 33.”    The face of the butt-plate has the classic enfield-type butt-trap. Behind that inside there are two clear bored holes which would have contained the two-piece cleaning rod, now absent. The stock has no cartouches or markings to identify it which are obvious to the eye.  Forward of the trigger guard is the steel mounting point for the brass chain and nipple protector.

These carbines have a flat plain lock-plate marked in front of the hammer as follows; ” B S A & M.Co / 1875 ”  Behind the hammer is the Royal Crown of Portugal over the initials “G.P”  for Government of Portugal.  The lock is a two position lock which functions well and releases crisply.  The rolling breech block is marked externally with a clear “broad arrow over WD” and then “ a crown E  / 83″  “E” being for Enfield.  On the LHS of the barrel just above the woodwork line are a full set of British VR proof and inspection marks – all clearly visible and legible.  The RHS of the barrel is has an issue number on it “357”.

The rear sights consist of a simple ramp graduate 100 to 300 yards then the ladder is marked 400 to 600 yards.  At the base it also has an inspection stamp upon it and on the reverse the serial number of the weapon which is 4690.  On cleaning and inspection of the carbine this number was repeated in all the usual Snider positions.  The barrel hut, the inside of the breech block and the ejector mechanism. It is good to know all these parts have stayed together for the past 139 years – without failing and then being replaced. The breech and the chamber are clean.  Many of the screw heads have clear WD arrows stamped on to them.

Just below the rear sights on the sides of the forend there are two oval headed screws (in section) which help retain the leather sight protector.   A single Enfield marked barrel band retains the barrel and there is a simple inverted “V” front sight mounted upon a block at the muzzle.  The rifling in this carbine is the infinitely more accurate, desirable 5-groove type.  Most, if not all the finish has disappeared from the metal work externally, as these little guns with a big punch had a fairly hard life.  Considering this, the fact the bore condition is so good is even more remarkable – good results can be obtained from this weapon if desired, otherwise, it would grace any early military collection.  It is a fine example with an excellent bore.

£ 1275……..SOLD

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