.577” Birmingham proofed commercial Mk1/II Snider Sea Service two band rifle.
£1295
.577” Birmingham proofed commercial Mk1/II Snider Sea Service two band rifle. Plain swivel link Pattern 1853 lock with flat faced Snider hammer. Walnut stock with regulation sea service pattern brass furniture has sling swivels fitted and square section jag head clearing rod to the underside. Five groove rifled barrel with ladder rear sight graduated to 1000 yards and bayonet boss to the front right. Struck to the rear left on the wood line with Victorian Commercial Birmingham proof marks. Early type Mk1/II unlocked Snider breech, the shoe and block struck with Victorian Birmingham commercial proof marks and the block with a single W inspection stamp. Similar in design to the Royal navy issue rifles these commercial weapons were widely used by the Merchant Fleet of the Victorian age which kept the great trade empire operating as well as by volunteer shooters of the time and businesses requiring weapons to protect their valuable stock and property. Taking the standard British army / navy cartridge of the time they were both effective arms and the ammunition could be obtained in almost every port where the British had a military or trading presence. In good condition with good bore and mechanics, a nice sharp stock and blue / brown finish to the metal work. A nice example of a Victorian Merchant sea service rifle manufactured by the Birmingham trade.
