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What comes between an 1853 Enfield and a Martini-Henry?
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Well, I really had not intended to buy a Snider - they do not seem to have a good reputation as shooters, are difficult to load for, and what I had seen (not that I was looking, mind you!) seemed to be predominantly of Khyber Pass provenance. And I could not get a single extra rifle into the gun cabinet! (The sardine packing option had already been applied).
But sometimes luck sneaks up and sandbags you. And a modern* target rifle had to go, to make space.
Thinking of an old pop song:
“I thought Sniders only lived in moo-zay-ums,
Fine for someone else, but not for me...
...
... Then I saw that wood, now I'm a believer..."
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Quite simply, the most beautiful shaft I have ever seen on a military rifle, bar none. The photos are all of the rifle as I picked it up this afternoon.
I have not yet managed to get a good full-length photo, but here are some more views to give you the flavor.
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Sorry about my photography, but the bore is flawless.
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The overall condition is so good, that it is hard to believe, unless it was some officer's pride and joy. The wood is NOT lacquered or sprayed - that is 150 years of careful ownership you are looking at.
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If you look at this photo really closely, you can see not only the WD markings, but the photographer reflected on the surface!
Patrick
:wave:
*i.e. less than 50 years old