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Winning Bid US $1159 First bid $400 Quantity 1 # of bids 12 Time left Auction has ended   Started 2025-10-29 00:00:00 Ended 2025-11-21 22:35:25

RARE!! Birmingham Small Arms & Metal Co. (BSA), Mark III Snider Carbine, Portuguese contract, Cal: .577 Snider, MFG: 1875, S/N: C92, Single shot breech loading rifle, 19'' 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 were converted muzzleloaders while the MK.III's had new production steel barrels (early production still used iron), new actions, stocks & parts.in 1873 the Portuguese government turned to great Britain for obtaining an emergency supply of arms. In May 10,000 Snider long rifles & 3,000 Snider carbines along with 3.5 Millions rounds of ammo were taken out of British storage, sold & shipped to Portugal. There was a up-roar with British commercial gun manufactures over this decision with feelings the government was taking away business from them, with all their service rifles being made at the government arsenal at Enfield & supply other nations with surplused arms.in order to placate the trade, The British war office arranged a contract between BSA & the Portuguese government in October of 1874 for 10,000 more snider Long rifles, & 1,200 more Snider carbines with bayonets & ammo, this time being made just for the contract & not surplus rifles taken from storage. These rifles would be made to the MK.III speck but with Portugal royal crown proofs, ''FA'' under crown for ''Fabbrica De Armas'', & with a crown over ''GP'' for the quoted contractor ''Governo Portugues'' (Portuguese government). This rifle also comes from the Ferdinand William Roebling III collection & comes with a brass hand tag with his name on it & the number ''49''. Mr. Roebling was un the US army corps of Engineers during ww2 & would come home as a Lt. Colonel.

CONDITION: The straight wrist walnut stock is very good with various nicks, dings, & scratches from use. There is a few small gouges on the left side of the stock. stock has slightly darked in areas from added oils over time. The two mounting screws on both sides of the stock, for the leather rear sight protector are missing & there are small hoes in the stock where they were. No visible cartouches on the stock. The metal has worn to a even gun metal gray with lightly speckled brown patina. There is some spots of light pitting around the stock line. The lock plate is marked with a crown over ''G.P'', ''BSA & MCO.'', over ''1875''. The top of the breech block is marked ''B.S.A.CO'' & with a small Birmingham proof. The top of the receiver is marked with a small crown over ''FA'' stamp, a small Birmingham proof, & ''SNIDER PATANT'' with a arrow through ''S'' in between. Left side of the chamber is marked with more Birmingham proofs & the ''52'' bore measurement. The right side of the chamber has the S/N ''C92'', the bottom of the breech block is marked ''442'' & the breech plug is marked ''572''. Upper extension of the buttplate marked with another crown over ''FA'' stamp. The bore is very good. Its bright with light roughness throughout the bore & more concentrated roughness near the muzzle. The barrel holds a barleycorn front sight with a tangent/ flip up 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 with the correct a crown over ''FA'' marked, two-piece steel cleaning rod inside. Rifle has the bottom wrist mounted sling ring for the cavalry. A rare & unique Snider carbine being 1 of the 1200 made specifically for Portugal & coming from a well know gun collector. Antique, No FFL Req - Value: 800 to 2400

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

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Price

RARE!! Birmingham Small Arms & Metal Co. (BSA), Mark III Snider... Item # 4478 This auction is over. No new bids can be placed. Price: US $1159

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