Snider Rifle

G

gunbug

CGN Regular
EE Expired
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Location
Mackenzie BC.
Hi: my friend has a little rifle that we would like info on. The bore is around .366 measured with calipers.The action unlatches on the left and lifts open to the right and has Snider Patent with an arrow going through an S on top. The barrel is held in place by a key like a hawken rifle push it over and it lifts out. The action,tang ,screws and some of the other metal have fine engraving. The stock has a black forend tip and a little brass oval unmarked on the bottom of the butt.3 leaf rear sight also. Any ideas on what vintage and what value? It has a lot of handling marks on the stock from use.Thank You. Dan
 
thats what it sounds like to me friend of mine has one like it just in .577 with an extra short cartiage.
 
gunbug said:
Thank's. My friends brother says that a lot of old muzzloader barrels were used with the action to make a new BP cartridge gun.Dan
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Your friend's brother is correct. Many military muzzleloading rifles were converted to cartridge rifles with the Snider action.

The gun in question sounds like a gunsmith built custom, though. Pictures please.
 
Yes, conversions were the order of the day but all were .577" not .366". This one is obviously one of the sporting cartridges of this period. Some were made as "Rook Rifles" in suitable calibers and others were in calibers more appropriate for medium sized game. There may be a clue stamped on the barrel with the proof marks to the size of the bore. These are somewhat scarce and command a higher price than the multitude of military rifles out there. Photos and proof marks would probably tell the story.
 
The only proof marks are under the barrel and they look like 2 ancient long axe type weapons crossed with a crown over them but hard to see with a magnifying glass so i can't get a picture. The wood and metal work on this gun were done by a master. Dan
 
gunbug said:
The only proof marks are under the barrel and they look like 2 ancient long axe type weapons crossed with a crown over them but hard to see with a magnifying glass so i can't get a picture. The wood and metal work on this gun were done by a master. Dan
Click to expand...

Those sound like Birmingham proof marks. Assuming that you mean the smallest diameter of the barrel as being the bore, the groove diameter would be around .380 to . 386 and the .380 was a common caliber for rook rifles. Little short pistol sized cartridge

cheers mooncoon
 
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