Original British Pattern 1864 Nepalese-made Gurkha Snider Two Band Short Rifle – Nakku Arsenal Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of a Two Band Pattern 1864 Snider short rifle, made at the NAKKU ARSENAL in KATHMANDU under British Supervision. In the 19th early 19th century much British assistance, Nepal created its own Military quality Arms Industry based at Nakku. The Nepalese had originally been armed with match locks when the Gurkha armies invaded India in 1813. After the Treaty of Seguli in 1816 the British provided Military technicians to bring the Nepalese army into the modern world. They started by producing the Third Model Brown Bess (India Pattern). The P-1837 Brunswick Rifle followed, and then the P-1853 Percussion Rifle Musket and then to the Snider Rifle of the 1860’s and 1870’s. They later produced several Martini action rifles and even Metford and S.M.L.E. bolt action Rifles for WWI.

Two Band Short Snider Rifles such as this fine example were used by Gurkha Infantry Mountain troops, issued in .577 caliber and fitted with original 26.5″ barrels secured by only two steel barrel bands. Correct short pattern includes a ladder back sight with the brass fittings, checkered wrist stock, with an overall length only 45″. They most closely conform to the Snider MkIII standard, with the locking breech block and screw tightened barrel bands. These scarce short infantry rifles were issued exclusively to Gurkha Mountain units in small numbers. They have the spacing and correct front sight to mount a socket bayonet if needed.

This example has been expertly restored by our IMA master antique gunsmiths. It is sound, and functions correctly, and has been brought back to life to appear how it must have looked the day it was issued. The metalwork, as correct for the time, is in the white, with a bit of oxidation. Bore has a bright finish, with clear lands and grooves in the 5-groove rifling. In the entirety of the Nepal cache find, fewer than 40 short snider rifles were ever discovered, out of 55,000 guns making this a stunningly rare rifle. This is one of the best condition ones that we have offered.

In excellent cleaned condition ready to display.

History of the Snider-

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.

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: 1850s-1870s
Caliber: .577 Snider
Ammunition Type: Center Fire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 26.5 Inches
Overall Length: 45 Inches
Action: Side-hinged breechblock
Feed System: Single Shot

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