A scarce .577” Ordnance issue Mk1* three band Snider service rifle with bayonet.
£1850
A scarce .577” Ordnance issue Mk1* three band Snider service rifle with bayonet. Pattern 1853 lock fitted with correct Mk1* flat faced hammer is engraved with a crowned VR to the tail and 1860 ENFIELD to the front of the hammer, next to Crowned Broad Arrow ordnance ownership mark. Walnut stock with regulation pattern brass furniture is struck to the right side with an RM ENFIELD factory roundel over a 1 first class arms mark with military inspection marks to the rear of the trigger guard tang. The left side of the butt struck with DC inside a diamond lozenge for issue to Dominion of Canada forces. Enfield proofed three groove rifled barrel fitted with a ladder rear sight graduated to 950 yards is fitted with a Mk1* action with correct parallel sided extractor, stamped 1.* to the receiver ring next to tower military proof marks and WD over broad arrow to the block. Mk1 square section jag head clearing rod to the underside of the stock. Early pattern screw retained barrel bands indicating conversion from a 3rd Model Pattern 1853 rifle musket. C/W its issue Pattern 1853 socket bayonet in WD broad arrow marked scabbard with Crown E 6 inspection stamp to the blade, the socket unit marked 14 / 377. One of the first batch of Sniders converted for the British army as a Mk1 rifle in 1866 it was along with all the other Mk1’s upgraded to Mk1* standard by having the chamber rim reamed to accept the square rimmed MkII Snider Boxer round after the failure in service of the original round rim cartridge intended to be issued. The Mk1 and 1* rifles were soon replaced in service by improved II* and II** weapons making these very scarce rifles today. In very good condition with fair to good bore having a few marks along the length and very good mechanics with a nice sharp well marked stock and blue finish to the metal work turning brown with age. A very nice example of one of the rarest Snider models which were in effect no more than a troop trials rifle, quickly replaced in service by the MkII* rifle which was a factory made Mk1* chambered for the later pattern cartridge and then by the standard issue MkII** with cup faced hammer.
