Make: Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield
Model: Snider Enfield MkIII Cavalry Carbine
Serial Number: B72
Year of Manufacture: 1870
Caliber: .577 Snider
Action Type: Single Shot, Side Hinged Breech Block Action
Barrel Length: 19 1/4"
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to a small base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder sight presenting a V-notch when folded down. When folded up, the slider has a V-notch and there is also a V-notch at the top of the ladder.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is one-piece smooth wood with nose cap, barrel band, straight grip, straight comb, and a brass buttplate with hinged door for storage. The wood shows numerous scratches and compression marks. Many of the marks have damaged areas of the surface wood. The LOP measures 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate shows oxidation and wear. Overall, the stock rates in Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray. The rifling is deep, shallow at the muzzle. There is erosion throughout the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle has lost its metal finish. The metal shows scratches, discoloration from oxidation, and areas of light surface erosion. The screw heads show use. Most of the markings are clear, a few are faded. Overall, this carbine is in about Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this carbine. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: There is a 2 piece cleaning rod stored in the butt. A leather rear sight protector and a 6 brass chain link nipple protector “snap cap” are installed.
Our Assessment: By the end of the American Civil War, it was evident that breech loading rifles would dominate any future battlefield. The US Army opted to convert the huge number of Springfield rifles on hand using the "trapdoor" concept rather than purchasing new rifles at a significant cost, and the British chose a similar remedy for the large number of Enfields in their inventory. The Snider conversion adopted by the British was a side hinged breech loader invented by an American, Jacob Snider. The resulting British Snider-Enfield proved both more accurate and much faster firing than the original Pattern 1853s; a trained soldier could fire 10 aimed rounds per minute with the breech loader, compared with only three rounds per minute with the muzzle loading weapon. From 1866 onwards, Enfields were converted in great numbers with a new receiver assembly while retaining the original barrel, furniture, lock, and hammer. Later models, however, such as the Mk. III Cavalry Carbine introduced in 1869, were newly factory made with steel barrels and a new action with its locking latch at the left side of the breech block. Sling bars were often omitted, though some were made with a butt swivel for a securing strap.
This Snider Enfield MkIII Cavalry Carbine is in Good condition with a myriad of proof markings and strong rifling in the bore.
RIFLE