Snider Enfield SNIDER .577 Enfiled Mk 2 Single Shot .577 Snider Rifle

A genuine and collectable Snider-Enfield Mk III in .577 calibre, retailed by Pollard & Son, Birmingham, bearing War Department marks indicating authenticated disposal from British military service.

Unlike the earlier Mk I and Mk II rifles, which were conversions of Pattern 1853 muzzle-loaders, the Mk III was purpose-built as a breech-loader from the outset, distinguishable by its positive latch-locking breech block, an improvement over the latching pin of the conversion marks. The lock is dated 1860 to the Enfield pattern, reflecting the use of components produced during the height of Pattern 1853 manufacture, incorporated into the new Mk III build programme as stocks of hardware were drawn upon.

The stock carries opposing broad arrow stamps — the standard British War Department augmentation applied when arms were sold out of government service into civilian ownership, formally transferring the piece from military property. Retailing through a Birmingham trade house such as Pollard & Son was a common and well-established route for surplus arms disposal in the Victorian period.

Overall condition is described as good and genuine throughout, with an excellent bore — a particularly encouraging finding in a black-powder military arm of this age and one of the most important factors for the collector and shooter alike. Offered complete with reproduction sling and cleaning rod.

The Snider-Enfield served as the British Army's primary breech-loading rifle from 1866, bridging the gap between the muzzle-loading P53 and the Martini-Henry adopted in 1871, and saw active service across the Empire including the Abyssinian Campaign of 1868.

Ref: 072

Purchase with confidence from a family run business with over 40 years experience.