Original Item: One of a Kind. The Nepalese cache purchase of 2003 is truly the gift that keeps on giving, even after almost 20 years! Many of these have been purchased over the years, and this is a lovely example that was hand picked years ago from our warehouse, and was later acquired from their estate. It has been fully cleaned and restored, and is definitely has some very interesting features!

This is a lovely example of a Three Band Pattern 1864 Snider long 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.

Three Band Short Snider Rifles such as this fine example were used by Gurkha Infantry, issued in .577 caliber and fitted with original 36.5" barrels secured by only three barrel bands. Correct long pattern includes a ladder back sight with the iron fittings, with an overall length of 55". Examples we have had previously most closely conform to the MkIII standard, with the locking breech block, though they utilized solid barrel bands retained by springs, instead of the screw retained bands.

This example however is definitely a bit different, and looks to have had some interesting modifications done to the action. We can see that it originally did have the standard type of locking breech, but the lever was removed and the screw hole filled. It then had an area on the top of the firing pin bolster removed, probably to show the position of the firing pin and/or for lubrication. More interesting are the modifications installed on the tang: a sliding breech lock, instead of the usual lock built into the breech block. The lock also has a tab extending to the right, which actually fits into a slot cut into the top of the lock plate and engages a channel on the back of the hammer.

We assume this is supposed to be some type of safety mechanism, however the way it is supposed to work has eluded us. It keeps the breech block closed well, however when the gun is fully cocked, it opens the lock, and in fact having the lock fully closed interferes with the tumbler. We assume this was some type of experimental system, and was abandoned because it could not be made to work correctly.

This example has been expertly restored by our IMA master antique gunsmiths. It is sound, and functions correctly for the most part, and has been brought back to life to appear how it must have looked during its working life. The metalwork has a lovely lightly oxidized patina, how polished up to look great. The bore has the correct three groove rifling for a long rifle, which is in very good condition. It snows a mostly bright finish with strong lands and grooves, showing some fouling and oxidation on the edges of the grooves.

A very interesting most likely experimental rifle from the Nepalese Cache, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: 1850s-1870s
Caliber: .577 Snider
Ammunition Type: Center Fire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 36.5 Inches
Overall Length: 55 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. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

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.