Original British P-1853 Enfield Three Band Rifle Converted to Snider Mk.II** dated 1859 – USGI Afghanistan Bring Back Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This rifle is 100% all British manufacture, starting life in 1857 as a .577 caliber three band ENFIELD Percussion Rifle model of P-1853. The lock is plate stamped “CROWN” over V.R. and ENFIELD / 1859, indicating manufacture at the Royal Small Arms factory at Enfield. This was a military issue, as indicated by the Royal Cypher monogram. It also has the correct CROWN / BROAD ARROW “lock viewer’s” mark and additional proofs as well on the lock plate. The barrel has copious British markings and proof marks, and the whole rifle is in lovely condition.

This example was purchased directly from a Veteran of the War in Afghanistan, who brought this back circa 2003. These old rifles had remained there since the colonial wars of the Victorian era, and in many cases were still well cared for. In some cases they were actually still in use! Many similar old British guns were send back home during the 2000s by both service members as well as civilians involved in the conflict.

This example is still in very good condition, and was cleaned and restored after being brought home to put it in its best light. The wood stock is lovely, showing use but still retaining the original stock cartouche on the left side, which reads LONDON ARMORY / COMPY. The barrel has standard three grove rifling and the bore shows clear lands and grooves, with a mostly bright finish. It doesn’t look to have seen a very large amount of use since the Snider conversion. Overall there isn’t really any rust pitting on the metal components, just a worn patina.

There is the correct II * * stamped on top of the breech ring, indicating it is the MkII** version of the breech. This was the last version before the “latch” was introduced, though it does have a small “button” at the bottom of the breech plug that grips the breech block. The breech block itself is also marked by maker B.S.A.Co, or Birmingham Small Arms Co, and also has the SNIDER PATENT marking surrounding an arrow.

Of interest is that the lower barrel band is the Third Model Enfield type, while the middle and upper are both the Fourth Model “Baddeley” style bands with recessed screws. It is possible that these were replaced during service. The rifle still retains the original cleaning rod, with the shank turned down. It is also fitted with a very nice modern production leather sling, as well as a “nipple protector”.

An All British P-1853 Converted Snider Rifle made at ENFIELD in splendid condition and ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1859 – Converted Later
Caliber: .58 inches
Ammunition Type: .577 Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 36.5 inches
Overall Length: 55 inches
Action: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Side Hinge Rotating Breech block

More on the P-1853 Rifle-Musket: The Enfield Pattern 1853 rifle-musket (also known as the Pattern 1853 Enfield, P53 Enfield, and Enfield rifle-musket) was a .577 calibre Minié-type muzzle-loading rifle-musket, used by the British Empire from 1853 to 1867, after which many Enfield 1853 rifle-muskets were converted to (and replaced in service by) the cartridge-loaded Snider-Enfield rifle.

The term “rifle-musket” originally referred to muskets with the smooth-bored barrels replaced with rifled barrels. The length of the barrels were unchanged, allowing the weapons to be fired by rank, since a long rifle was necessary to enable the muzzles of the second rank of soldiers to project beyond the faces of the men in front. The weapon would also be sufficiently long when fitted with a bayonet to be effective against cavalry. Such guns manufactured with rifled barrels, muzzle loading, single shot, and utilizing the same firing mechanism, also came to be called rifle-muskets.

The 39 in (99 cm) barrel had three grooves, with a 1:78 rifling twist, and was fastened to the stock with three metal bands, so that the rifle was often called a “three band” model.

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. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.