February 5, 6, & 7, 2019 Field & Range Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/5/2019
The Snider conversions are scarce rifles and rarely encountered. Invented by Jacob Snider, an American from New York, he designed the conversion that changed muzzle loading rifles into breech loading rifles by cutting away the rear section of the barrel and adding a breech block with a firing pin that was hinged at the side so it could be opened and a cartridge inserted. This design was adapted by the British army in 1868 for the Ethiopian Campaign and remained in service into the 1880's. It is considered the first breech loader of the British Army and led to the design of the Boxer cartridge. This is the short Enfield P60 1860 pattern where the barrel was cut from 33" to 30-1/2" and had two barrel bands, bayonet lug, two sling swivels (one on butt and one on forward band). This rifle is not marked Mark II but it is that style of conversion. The lockplate is dated 1855 with Victorian crown, rear sight is graduated out to 700 meters. Full length wood stock and fore end tip. CONDITION: All metal is a dark chocolate brown patina, left side of stock has a brass plaque inset. Wood is very good to excellent. Comes with period sling. Strong clean rifling and a fine action. A very good untouched example of a scarce Snider conversion.