1861 Enfield Authenticity

[Stuttz]

Hello,

I have in my possession a rifle marked as an 1861 Enfield. I'm in the dark on weapons this old, and I know there's a big reproduction market for these. If I was to post pictures of the rifle and its markings, could someone please let me know if it's real or not? Thanks.

 

[mykeal]

Be advised that good quality fakes are very difficult to identify from photographs only. It is possible to identify reproductions that have not been professionally defarbed using photos. If it's one of those we can tell you, but beyond that you really need a professional antique gun appraiser.

 

[Stuttz]

Understandable. My camera isn't of the best quality so I may just have to find an appraiser...I was just curious if anyone knew of some big things I should be looking for on the rifle itself.

 

[mykeal]

Big things to identify replicas would be foreign proof marks. If they haven't been removed they'll immediately prove the gun is a replica. Post photos of any stamped marks on the barrel, no matter how strange they may seem. Especially on the bottom of the barrel under the stock.

 

[Stuttz]

Thanks, I'll post some tomorrow evening when I get my hands on a better camera. Please stay tuned...

 

[Stuttz]

By the way, what are the chances a gun like this would be marked "Tower" on the lock plate next to the year of manufacture?

 

[mykeal]

Very high. It's a common mark.

 

[Stuttz]

Sorry for the quality, this is all the camera could manage. These markings are very small...

 

[Stuttz]

One more

 

[Robert]

That looks like a Snyder to me. Now I am no expert but I do not know of any replicas of Snyder rifles running around.

 

[Stuttz]

Interesting, but wikipedia states that that particular variant didn't enter production until 1866

 

[Robert]

The way I understand it some were made from converting older 1853 Enfields.
Taken from Wikipedia:

From 1866 onwards, the Enfield rifles were converted in large numbers at the Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) Enfield beginning with the initial pattern, the Mark I. The converted rifles received a new breechblock / receiver assembly, but retained the original iron barrel, furniture, locks and hammer.

Emphasis is mine.

In any case that is a Snyder breech.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Snider_breech_loading_mechanism.jpg

 

[Stuttz]

Many thanks for the info. Any idea on the value? The wood is a little dinged up but the action is smooth and the barrel is in excellent shape.

 

[Voodoochile]

Looks like you may have a very collectable Snider .577 conversion there sir.

Very nice, sorry that I couldn't give you an approximate price on one of theose though.

 

[72coupe]

Atlanta Cutlery imported a boat load of those things from Nepal a few years back. Check thier web site for prices.

 

[Stuttz]

Thanks so much for all the advice. I took it to an antique gun dealer in town...not a good visit. He was a rude man who never looked me in the eye or asked a question about it despite claiming he didn't know much about the gun. He offered me no more than 200, an offer I politely refused ("politely" being up for interpretation). I know its not a golden antique, but I can't stand nasty gun shop owners. End of rant...I'll shop it around the web and see what happens