British P-1864 Snider type Breech Loading Infantry Short Rifle: Untouched Original Items

Original Item: This is no “battlefield pickup”. Although offered in “untouched” AS IS condition, the overall appearance and mechanics of this gun is as good or higher than our other “untouched offerings”. This infantry issue “TWO BAND” “SHORT SNIDER RIFLE” was used by infantry Mountain troops. This differs from the rare “Artillery Carbine” in the following ways: this model has a longer fore-stock, has no Saber Bayonet lug, and has a different brass trigger guard, as well as other differences. These Snider Infantry Short Rifles are .577 caliber and are fitted with an original 26-1/2″ barrel, secured by two steel barrel bands. Correct short pattern, ladder back sight with the brass furniture. Overall length is 45″. These scarce short infantry rifles were issued exclusively to Gurkha Mountain units.

Jacob Snider, an American from New York, developed this breech loading system for the P-1853 Enfield, the most prolific imported Percussion rifle in use by both the North and South during the U.S. Civil War. When the British Board of Ordnance appointed a Select Committee in 1864 the snider system was swiftly adopted with the first breechloaders being issued in 1865 to British forces. Improved in 1867 by the use of Colonel Boxer’s center fire brass bodied cartridge, the rifle was used very effectively in the Abyssinian Campaign of 1868. The system utilized a hinged breech block with an internal firing pin assembly that permitted the use of a self contained cartridge of lead bullet in cardboard, and, after 1867, brass casing. This highly efficient conversion system prolonged the active life of the P-1853 rifles up until 1871 when the Martini System was adopted. Snider rifles saw continued use throughout the Empire but were officially obsolete by the late 1880s.

These 140+ year-old Short Rifles and bayonets are TOTALLY untouched and offered in AS IS condition for you to enjoy!

What does “Untouched Condition” mean? OK, this is exactly what we are offering: Genuine P-1864 Snider type Breech Loading Short Rifle with Socket Bayonet that have laid undisturbed for well over 150 years in far from perfect storage conditions in the Old Palace of Lagan Silekhana in Katmandu, Nepal. Our DVD of “TREASURE IS WHERE YOU FIND IT” shows these very weapons as we found them and the story behind them.

What you will get:

• Lock
• Barrel
• Breech Block
• New Made or Original Brass Butt Plate (fitting required)
• 2 Steel Barrel Bands
• Brass Trigger Guard
• Stock [May have Cracks, Missing Chunks, Old repairs, Wood Rot] • Cleaning Rod
• Socket Bayonet

What you might not get:

• Screws [Sling Swivel, Butt Plate, Lock, Tang, etc] • Breech Block Lever
• Sight
• Firing Pin
• Brass Nose Cap
• Sling Swivel
• Barrel Springs
• Small internal parts
• Other bits…

Typical Condition:

• Will show Rust
• Will be Covered in filth
• May not operate
• May be incomplete
• Stock may be broken or cracked
• May be frozen in grime

However, EVERY SHORT RIFLE WILL BE 100% GENUINE!

We ask you to look closely at the photographs, the example photographed here is a typical gun that could expect to receive, read reviews, both good and bad, and only then place an order understanding what you are likely to receive. We want Educated Aware Customers. If it isn’t what you expect, that is fine, return it (before you attempt any restoration or cleaning) and the full gun purchase price will be refunded to you, however the customer will pay shipping both ways. We cannot exchange guns and will not get into an exchange situation, so please do not ask.

We are not trying to sell you an incomplete weapon and then sell you the missing parts. We will do our best to make sure it is complete as possible. One day we will also sell replacement parts, but that is in the distant future. We are not trying to frustrate you; we are trying to fill a void in the marketplace for genuine but affordable rare and unique antique weapons so that collectors and historians of all backgrounds can enjoy a genuine part of history. These should be viewed as “project” guns, work on it with your Son or Grandson, clean it up, hang it over your mantle, or don’t clean it, they are impressive anyway you see them. The price is affordable; the history is priceless.

If you want to shoot it, DON’T! If you still want to shoot it, take it to a licensed GUNSMITH first. These are 160+ year-old hand made guns, be very careful, IMA sells these for display purposes only, they are not intended to be fired. Please buy our products, but do read the reviews and descriptions first. We feel you will agree that the recovery of old weapons from Nepal was a milestone for the collecting fraternity and we hope you enjoy a genuine antique weapon that has never been touched by any other collector than you.