Original British P-1864 Snider Breech Loading Rifle Dated 1855- Marked Tower Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. We have found and restored this beautiful TOWER marked lock dated 1855 Snider type rifle that was recovered from Nepal in 2003. While there is not question that the lock plate or the entire lock was made in England it is our belief these weapons we assembled in the kingdom of Nepal in the latter 1870s and 1880s.

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 the best we have, and has been inspected to be in complete condition and 100% cleaned by our staff.

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: “Cleaned and Complete” antique guns are often cleaned to order, so these are not be available for same-day expedited shipping.