Original British Enfield 1852 Five Groove Snider Breech Loading Rifle from Nepal Original Items

Original Item. Only One Available. Unlike the other unmarked Snider rifles we offer, IMA has found this one with an Enfield 1852 marked lock. While there is not a question that the lock plate or the entire lock was made in England it is our belief this weapon was assembled in the kingdom of Nepal in the latter 1870s and 1880s. The exceptional thing about this rifle is that the barrel, absent Brotosh proff marks, has FIVE GROOVE rifling that has crisp lands and grooves with a mirror bright shiny bore. This variation of Snider rifle from Nepal is exceptionally rare and very high quality.

At that time the Nepalese were very adept gun makers and would use whatever good gun parts were available, therefore on some of these Snider rifles it is not uncommon to find dates in the early 1850s and even the 1840s. Meaning that the locks were adapted from P-1840 muskets also known as East India Company Pattern Muskets. Other markings vary, if any are visible, most locks date in the 1850s. Here is a chance to own a very interesting part of history of which very few exist.

Offered in cleaned and complete condition, this is the best we have, and has been inspected to be in complete condition and 100% cleaned by our expert antique gunsmith.

History of the Snider rifle- 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 breech loaders 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 obsoleted by the late 1880s.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.