Product Description
B.S.A. Antique SNIDER-ENFIELD Mk. II** LONDON ARMORY CO. Conversion Rifle
With “CROWN/VR” and “L.A. Co/1861” Marked Lock
Here we present an antique British B.S.A. (Birmingham Small Arms) Snider-Enfield Mk. II** Breech Loading Rifle, made in 1861 in Birmingham, England, before being converted to a breech loading centerfire at the London Armory. The British .577 Snider was the most widely used of the Snider varieties (the action invented by the American Jacob Snider) being adopted by Britain as an alteration/conversion system for its Pattern 53 rifle-musket muzzle loading arms. In trials, the Snider P/53 conversions proved both more accurate than original P/53s and much faster firing as well. From 1866 on the rifles were converted in large numbers at Enfield beginning with the initial pattern, the Mark I. New rifles started as P/53s but received a new breech block/receiver assembly. Converted rifles retained the original iron barrel, furniture, locks and hammer.
The Model 1853/66 Snider-Enfield Mark I and Mark II were both originally percussion rifles before being converted over to the Snider system. The Mark III rifles were newly made, with steel barrels which were so marked, flat nosed hammers and are the version equipped with a latch locking breech block. The Snider was the subject of substantial imitation, approved and questionable, including the near exact copy of the Nepalese Snider, the Dutch Snider, Danish Naval Snider, and the “unauthorized” adaptations of the French Tabatiere and Russian Krnka.
This firearm saw the landscape everywhere the British had a presence in the 19th century. The list is quite significant: Ethiopia, Cape Colony, India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and other British Colonies. The Enfield Snider was not only used worldwide but had a very long service life. It was adopted as the primary service weapon of the British Army in 1866, then was relegated to volunteer and militia forces beginning in 1874 after the introduction of the Martini-Henry rifle, then was pretty much solely in use by the British Indian Army into the 1890s.
The overall condition is fair. Dark patina throughout. The action of the hammer and trigger remains strong. Firing pin absent. The bore is dim with good rifling. The stock shows the “1861” dated London Armory Company marking on the right side. The stock has been shortened. The butt stock has been repaired at the toe and shows lots of handling.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel 36-1/2 inches.
Caliber: .577 Snider
Overall condition as seen in photos.
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$900
#240292