Snider sling?

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

I finally got a Snider, cleaned it up and sorted it out. The reproduction sling that I bought has me baffled. Is this the way the front end should be attached? It doesn't look right to me but...

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[Aragorn243]

I don't know about your sling but it might be more helpful to show both ends of it. Typically, the fixed end attaches to the top sling mount and the adjustable end goes on the bottom.

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

The rear end is fixed. It's secured with a leather thong just like a Martini-Henry.

[browningautorifle]

This link shows you the whole sling... British P 1853 Enfield/ P 1864 Snider Rifle Sling - Brown Leather (Repro) | eBay

[Ridolpho]

Steve H: Tell us more about your new Snider. There's not nearly enough talk about Sniders on the forum!

Ridolpho (2-band Mk I*, 2-band MkIII, 3-band Mk II*, 3-band Mk II**, 3-band Mk III, India Govt Cavalry Carbine)

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

Unexpected things can happen when you're drinking beer and looking at on-line auctions. I wound up with a well used Mk.II** with Canadian property stamps and I believe the 11 on the buttplate indicates issue to the Argenteuil Ranger militia. It had been neglected for some time but after a thorough cleaning and some minor repairs it turned out pretty good. The bore is nice. It's something of a "bitser" as the lock is an Enfield but the stock has the London Armory cartouche. I don't know if this was done while still in service but everything fits and functions well. For $400 I don't think I could have gone too far wrong.

[Aragorn243]

It's a very nice looking rifle. Can you explain the cap cover on the chain, I've never seen one of those before.

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

It's a nipple/firing pin protector to keep the hammer out of contact when it's down. What is missing here is a very thick leather pad that attaches to the top of the brass cap. It crumbled.

[Aragorn243]

So does that make it a rudimentary safety? Make the rifle ready to fire simply by pulling the hammer back and it falls away?

[browningautorifle]

So does that make it a rudimentary safety

It keeps the hammer away from the firing pin which rests directly against the primer if the hammer were on it. You will probably have to pull the protector off. It might not just fall off.