What comes between an 1853 Enfield and a Martini-Henry?

[Patrick Chadwick]

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..."






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.




Sorry about my photography, but the bore is flawless.


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.



If you look at this photo really closely, you can see not only the WD markings, but the photographer reflected on the surface!

Patrick



*i.e. less than 50 years old

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Doug, help please!

I am still getting this effect of the bottom half of the photos being grayed out!

Is it just my computer?

Patrick

[gunner]

Nice one Patrick! I like the Tiger striped wood too!

[Patrick Chadwick]

I like the Tiger striped wood too!

That is what really caught my attention. Although I have seen tiger-striped maple a couple of times, but only on private rifles, I have never before seen tiger-striped walnut on anything.

Unfortunately, although there is a maker's roundel mark on the butt, it is just about impossible to make out. You can guess that my first-priority shooting project now is to make up some cartridges!

Patrick

[gunner]

That is what really caught my attention. Although I have seen tiger-striped maple a couple of times, but only on private rifles, I have never before seen tiger-striped walnut on anything.

Unfortunately, although there is a maker's roundel mark on the butt, it is just about impossible to make out. You can guess that my first-prioriyt shooting project now is to make up some cartridges!

Patrick

Patrick,

i wish you good luck to find a good load for that nice thing!

[Bear43]

Patrick, that is simply stunning! Great find! Now get to making some ammunition and give us a range report! Oh, and just so you know, I am getting the greyed out effect on the pictures as well, but only some of them. It's like they are not loading completely.

[Patrick Chadwick]

I am getting the greyed out effect on the pictures as well, but only some of them. It's like they are not loading completely.

This is wierd. The greying-out effect has disappeared. Doug, did you tweak something in the software? If so, thanks. If not, I am baffled!

Patrick

[jmoore]

You can guess that my first-prioriyt shooting project now is to make up some cartridges!

It's a big'un! At least there's a fair selection of bullets available.


.303" SAA, .577" Snider (not likey a milsurp round), and "11,?? Obsobottleneckpaperpatchthing" .

You may be an inspiration to do some loading yet! Can't seem to make any progress on that front, lately.

[Patrick Chadwick]

"11,?? Obsobottleneckpaperpatchthing" .

Looks like it could be a .43 Spanish Remington.

Patrick

[DaveN]

Veeery nice Patrick. Pardon my ignorance but an 1861 Enfield is a Snider?