Make: Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield
Model: Snider Enfield MkIII Rifle
Serial Number: NSN
Year of Manufacture: 1871
Caliber: .577 Snider
Action Type: Single Shot, Side Hinged Breech Block Action
Barrel Length: 36 1/2"
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, cutout for the included cleaning rod, 3 barrel bands, 2 sling loops, straight grip, straight comb, and a brass buttplate. The wood shows numerous scratches and compression marks. The wood has been coated in lacquer but most of that clear lacquer finish has been lost. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows oxidation and wear. Overall, the stock rates in Very Good Plus condition as refurbished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued with Brass Trim
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is well defined, shallow at the muzzle. There is erosion throughout the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6.5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle has lost its metal finish. The metal shows scratches, discoloration from oxidation, and areas of surface erosion. The screw heads show use. The metal markings are well defined. The stock markings are faded. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: The rifle has a leather sling attached.
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 Rifle 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.
This Snider Enfield MkIII Rifle is in Good condition with a myriad of well defined proof markings on the metal. It also carries a “DC” in a diamond stamp at the left side of the butt stock, standing for Dominion of Canada, and denoting it was once Canadian military owned and issued. A great relic of the British Victorian Era Commonwealth.
RIFLE