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Winning Bid US $701 First bid $200 Quantity 1 # of bids 15 Time left Auction has ended   Started 2025-05-07 00:00:00 Ended 2025-11-21 22:35:25

Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield, Model: Mk. III Snider Portugal Cavalry Carbine. Cal: .577 Snider, MFG: 1870, S/N: 3316 (on breech block), A348 on the barrel (Portugal applied). Single shot breech loading rifle,19 1/4'' barrel.

HISTORY: In the early 1870s, the British sold the Portuguese 10,000 Snider rifles with bayonets & 3000 carbines to replace their aging ''Monkey tail'' rifles. These were all old British surplus & have both British military markings & Portuguese inspection marks. They would be delivered in 1873. In the following year, Portugal placed a order for 10,000 infantry rifles & 1200 Cavalry carbines from Birmingham Small Arms & Metal Company Ltd. (B.S.A.). these would all be the Mk.III type & are specially with the Portuguese Heraldic Royal Crown above initials G.P. on the lock plate. These would be delivered in 1875 & are marked BSA & 1875.

CONDITION: The straight wrist walnut stock is good with various nicks, dings, dents & scratches from use/age. The toe has two 1/2'' cracks. The British rear sling mount was removed & has a wood plug; this was done when the Portuguese bought it. The right cheek has a spot of many gouged s/chips up on the comb. the right cheek of the stock has a worn stamp that appears to be the sold out of service stamp, the broad arrows are visible, both ''S'' stamps are not visible. Below that is the Enfield roundel cartouche that reads ''R'' crown ''M'' ''ENFIELD'' around the ''WD'' under arrow mark in the middle. Just below that is a slightly worn ''1'' stamp. The metal has mostly toned to a mix of brown patina & gun metal gray with some spots of thinned blue remaining in protected areas. Metal has spots of roughness & light pitting. The upper tang of the buttplate is marked with a British proof, ''R 6'', ''D'', ''50''. These appear to be older British unit markings rather that Portuguese. The lock plate is marked with a crown over ''V.R'', crown with arrow proof over ''1870'', over ''ENFIELD'', ''2''. The top of breech is stamped with an arrow over ''WD'', crown over ''E'' over ''69''. The bottom of the breech block is marked with a crown over ''E'' over ''3'' proof, ''3316''. The left of the receiver band is marked with multiple British proofs. The top of the band is marked ''III''. The rear left of the barrel is marked ''STEEL'' & a long line of British proofs. The rear right of the barrel has another proof, stamped over that is ''A348''. Other metal parts have more British proofs. The bore is Fair. Rust in chamber, bore is bright but has spots of rust & pitting. The barrel holds a small blade front sight with a tangent/ladder V-notch rear sight marked 1 to 3 on the base & 4 to 6 on the ladder. The stock carries a brass trapdoor buttplate. buttplate has some dings & patina. nothing inside trapdoor. The British sling mounts/loops were removed & replaced by a rear sling ring by Portugal. A handy carbine with a interesting history. Antique, No FFL Req. - Value: 400 to 1000

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Price

Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield, Model: Mk. III Snider Portugal... Item # 4447 This auction is over. No new bids can be placed. Price: US $701

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