West Australian Rifle Association > Records

English Snider rifle .577 MK.III

c. 1869
Overview

This is a British Snider‑Enfield Mk III rifle in .577, made at Enfield in 1869 and carrying typical Victorian War Department inspection and proof marks.

Historical information

The Snider–Enfield served throughout the British Empire, including Cape Colony, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, until its gradual phaseout by the Martini–Henry, beginning in 1871-1880. Volunteer and militia forces continued to use it until the late 1880s.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-205-2025.122
Width
1250 mm
Height or length
110 mm
Inscriptions and markings

“VR”
“1869 Enfield”
“STEEL”
[crown] “VR IR”
[crown] “E 10”
Symbol “VR crossed / 2.P.”
Crown “E10”
Symbol WD”
Crown “E34” on breech

Contextual information

The markings “VR” and “1869 Enfield” identify it as a rifle produced at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, in 1869 under Queen Victoria.
The description “English Snider rifle .577 Mk III” and the “STEEL” barrel marking are consistent with the Mk III Snider pattern, the final and strongest of the Snider conversions and purpose‑built rifles in .577 Snider.The .577 Snider-Enfield Mark III Long Rifled Musket utilised an action invented by the American Jacob Snider (hence the designation) and was adopted by the British Armed Forces as an alteration/conversion system for its ubiquitous Pattern 1853 rifled-musket which was muzzle loaded.

Year
c. 1869
Last modified
Friday, 20 February, 2026
Completeness
83
West Australian Rifle Association

West Australian Rifle Association

firearm
This is a British Snider‑Enfield Mk III rifle in .577, made at Enfield in 1869 and carrying typical Victorian War Department inspection and proof marks.

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