.577” P. Webley and Son MkIII Snider service rifle retailed by the Army & Navy CSL London.
£1450
A good .577” P. Webley and Son of Birmingham volunteer MkIII three band Snider service rifle retailed by the Army & Navy CSL London. Plain Pattern 1853 swivel link lock signed to the front of the cupped hammer P. WEBLEY & SON BIRMINGHAM with Webley Winged Minnie Bullet trade mark over W&S to the tail. Walnut stock with regulation pattern brass furniture and snag free Baddeley pattern barrel bands has a square section jag head rammer to the underside. Three groove Minnie rifled barrel is fitted with a ladder rear sight graduated to 950 yards is struck with Birmingham Victorian commercial proof marks with retailer’s name ARMY & NAVY C.S.L. LONDON to the front of the rear sight, the famous London Cooperative retailer of all the supplies needed by officers or expeditions traveling around the world as well as supplying the Volunteer movement with arms of military pattern such as this one. The MkIII locking shoe is struck with Victorian Birmingham commercial proof marks with Snider patent trade mark to the rear. Made to the regulation military MkIII pattern by Webley who were an Ordnance contractor for sale to a volunteer soldier or target shooter of the mid Victorian age and retailed by probably the most famous of the London military outfitters of the age. In good condition with good bore a nice sharp stock with fading blue finish to the metalwork. A good Snider by one of the best of the Birmingham makers who would go on to become the famous Webley & Scott company in later years with the desirable MkIII locking breech.
