A .577” Birmingham proofed commercial MkII** Snider Sea Service two band rifle dated 1873.
£1495
A .577” Birmingham proofed commercial MkII** Snider Sea Service two band rifle dated 1873. Swivel link Pattern 1853 lock with cup faced Snider MkII** hammer is signed TOWER 1873 to the front of the hammer and is struck with a Crown to the rear. Walnut stock with regulation sea service pattern brass furniture has sling swivels fitted and a jag head clearing rod to the underside. The stock stamped several places with F.W. JONES, presumably a previous owner or the name of the company that bought the rifle and strangely to the butt on the left 26/3/58 6.35 PM YL. Five groove rifled barrel with ladder rear sight graduated to 1000 yards has bayonet boss to the front right. Struck to the rear left with Victorian Commercial Birmingham 25 bore proof marks for use with the military .577” round. MkII** pattern Snider shoe with cup faced hammer is struck to the receiver ring with Sniders S Arrow trade mark and to the block SNIDERS PATENT either side of the S Arrow mark. 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. The fast twist five groove barrels of this pattern being the most accurate of the Snider variants. Chambered for the standard British military 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 having scattered marks along the length and good 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.
