Home Login Sign Up My Account Browse Links Logout How to Consign   Ward's Bid Sheet   Rules

Winning Bid US $1155 First bid $400 Quantity 1 # of bids 18 Time left Auction has ended   Started 2025-07-28 00:00:00 Ended 2025-11-21 22:35:25

Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield, M1866 Mk III Snider-Enfield, Sergeants Short rifle, Canada-Quebec issued, Cal: .577 Snider, MFG: 1869, S/N: 1285, Breech loading single shot rifle, 30 5/8'' barrel.

HISTORY: The Snider breech loading system, designed by Jacob Snider, was adopted by the British army in 1866 as a conversion system for the P1853 Enfield muzzleloading rifle. It was used by the British until the early 1880's once Martini-Henry production was sufficient. The British Indian Army & other nations would use Snider rifles until the end of the nineteenth century. All models before the MK.III converted muzzleloaders, the MK.III had new production steel barrels (early production still used iron), new actions & stocks. This rifle was sold out of British service & was sold to Canada where it was issued to either police or military as it has a rack or unit number on the comb of the stock. This being a short rifle it was issued to sergeants of the line & rifle infantry. Their primary role was to direct troops, not be the primary shooters in a fight. They were given a shorter & lighter weapon as it was easier to carry & maneuver, freeing them to do their actual job.

CONDITION: The straight wrist walnut stock is very good near excellent. There is a added layer of finish on the stock, appears old & done when it was in military service. Metal is proud to the wood around the toe of buttplate. The right cheek of stock marked with a roundel cartouche that reads ''R'' crown ''M'', ''ENFIELD'', around a ''MD'' under arrow stamp. just above the roundel cartouche is the British double broad arrow sold out of service mark. The comb of the stock is marked ''87'' over ''36''. Left cheek of the stock stamped ''DC'' in a diamond (Dominion of Canada). The metal has mostly toned to a chocolate brown patina with spots of gun metal gray & spots of thinned blue remaining around the rear sight, receiver, & receiver tang. The lock plate is marked with a crown over ''V.R'', small crown with arrow stamp over ''1869'' over ''ENFIELD'', ''SR'', ''2''. The top of the breech block marked with two British proofs, the inside is marked with another British proof & the S/N. The receiver band is marked ''III.'' & with a bunch of British proofs. The left side of the chamber marked ''STEEL'' & with many British proofs. The right side of the chamber has one British proof. The barrel bands, cleaning rod, trigger guard tang & screws, buttplate, rear sight, &action screws all have British proof marks. The bore is excellent. Bright & shiny with little visible wear. The barrel holds a barleycorn front sight with a stepped base/flip-up ladder V-notch rear sight. Marked 1 to 4 on the base, & 5 to 8 on the ladder. The stock carries a steel buttplate, un-finished with brown patina speckling. The rifle has both bottom sling loops & has the cleaning/clearing rod. A beautiful example of a British & Canadian used Snider-Enfield short rifle. Antique. No FFL Req - Value: 800 to 1600

(Move around the image by clicking and dragging. Zoom with your scroll wheel)

Payment Details See Payment Instructions and item description, or contact seller for more information.

Payment Instructions See item description or contact seller for more information.

Price

Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield, M1866 Mk III Snider-Enfield, S... Item # 4469 This auction is over. No new bids can be placed. Price: US $1155

How to Pay If you would like to expedite your payment, please send us an email or give us a call informing us that you would like your invoice emailed to you. If we do not hear from you one of two things will happen: A.) If you signed up and asked us to bill your credit card & ship all items ASAP then that is what we will do. No further notice will be sent. B.) If you signed up and wanted to send us a check, then your invoice will be mailed to you after we figure the shipping. (Please note: If you want to speed this up just send us an email after the auction)

Return to Home Page