.577” Ordnance issue MkIII Snider two band service rifle by BSA dated 1872 c/w an Ordnance issue Pattern 1860 Yataghan sword bayonet
£1495.
.577” Ordnance issue MkIII Snider two band service rifle by BSA dated 1872 c/w an Ordnance issue Pattern 1860 Yataghan sword bayonet in its steel mounted leather scabbard. MkIII lock fitted with correct flat face hammer is engraved BSA Co. 1872 under broad arrow ordnance ownership mark with Crowned VR to the tail. Walnut stock with regulation pattern iron furniture including a Baddeley pattern snag free second band is struck to the right side with a BIRMINGHAM WD roundel over a first class arms mark and DC Dominion of Canada issue stamp to the left. A good armourers repair below the shoe catch to the rear of the front side nail on the left hand side. Five groove rifled barrel stamped to the left side STEEL next to Ordnance proof marks has a Broad Arrow WD marked MkIII shoe with locking block. The receiver ring stamped III next to Ordnance proof marks and WD. Ladder rear sight graduated to 950 yards with a square section jag head clearing rod to the underside of the barrel. C/W its British Ordnance issue Pattern 1860 Yataghan sword bayonet in its steel mounted leather scabbard. Hilt with rivet retained press chequered leather grip scales has release button to the left of the pommel, the right side of the cross guard stamped with issue number 1074. Fullered Yataghan sword blade is stamped to the right side with a Broad Arrow over WD next to two military inspection stamps and opposed broad arrow sold from service marks. In its correct black leather steel mounted scabbard with frog stud to the right side, the top rear of the leather stamped 1164. Issued to the men of the elite rifle regiments as well as NCOs of the line regiments the Yataghan Sword bayonets were designed to increase the reach in combat of the men armed with the shorter two band Enfield and later Snider rifles. It was in fact somewhat too long and heavy for effective use in bayonet fighting when compared to the infantry socket bayonets of the time but was a very effective short sword when used in its own right, a role in which the men of the rifle regiments often employed it. Purpose made as Sniders rather than being converted from existing muzzle loading arms these MkIII rifles were issued to the men of the rifle regiments and the sergeants and other NCOs of the line infantry regiments who would make good use of the superior accuracy of the heavy five groove barrels. The last of the Sniders they featured an improved steel barrel and a positively locked breech block. Although intended as a stop gap arm the Snider was used by the army for 10 years in the end. Short rifles seeing service at the battle of Ashanti and with Garnet Woolsey’s expeditionary force to the Gold Coast. In good condition with good bore and mechanics having a tight lock up, well marked stock and much blue / brown finish to the barrel and action. The bayonet in good condition with clean well ordnance marked blade and good grips with a working catch in a good scabbard with all intact stitching. A nice example of a regulation issue short rifle of the type keenly sought by shooters and collectors today with its rare sword bayonet.
