MINT BORE**Victorian British Volunteer/ Militia Officer’s Private Purchase Thomas Turner, Snider MK III .577 Obsolete Calibre 3 Band Rifle Retailed By T. Fletcher London. Sn 20861 Single Shot .577 Rifles

**MINT BORE**Victorian British Volunteer/ Militia Officer’s Private Purchase Thomas Turner, Snider MK III .577 Obsolete Calibre 3 Band Rifle Retailed By T. Fletcher London. Sn 20861 20861

Thomas Turner, 1811-1886, was born in Marlborough (Wiltshire). He was a son of Thomas Turner, 1770- 1843, also a gunmaker and engraver. The family were previously saddlers and their history in Marlborough has been traced back to the 17th Century. In 1838 Thomas Turner established his own gunmaking business at 3 Middle Row, Reading. He was also a sword maker and engraver. His father continued as a gunmaker in Marlborough where he was succeeded by another son, Henry Arthur at 21 High Street until late in the 19th Century. In 1840 Thomas Turner married Emma Jane Jarvis (born Upavon 1812). Thomas Turner’s business prospered. Two sons, Thomas Henry (1852-1939) and Edward (1868-1939) followed their father into the business. Thomas and Thomas Henry’s Wills both describe them as Gun Manufacturers. Branches were opened in Newbury, Basingstoke and Hungerford. This is a militia / volunteer officer’s private purchase .577 Calibre Snider, MK III 3 Band Rifle by Thomas Turner. It has all original woodwork and metal throughout. The bottom of the shoulder stock remnants of an old label adhered. Its steel action plate is signed by the retailer T. Fletcher, 115 Church Road London’. The breech and barrel have proof / inspection marks. The top of the barrel is signed by the maker ‘T.Turner’. It has a brass butt plate, trigger guard & fore end block. The rifle measures 55” overall with a 36 ½” barrel. The barrel’s bore is near mint, clean and bright with well defined rifling. The hinged breech has the correct MK III knurled locking catch. The rifle is complete with single sling swivel, ram rod, block, block and blade fore sight, ladder rear sight & heavy military hammer. Its cocking and firing actions work crisply. The price includes UK delivery. NB This is an antique, obsolete calibre weapon and no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. Sn 20861

£1475