Newly aquired .577 Snider!!

[Sharpshooter81]

Bought a 1873 Snider .577 last night for $100. Its a mark 3 trapdoor style, these were muzzleloaders that were re-fitted with a new breach to shoot a metal cartridge. This one has been sporterized, but I like the rifle alot, and its in overall decent shape. All the screws are original with the british proofmarks, and it also has a flip up rear ladder sight. It is 54" long and weighs about 12 lbs or so. The originals had wood the whole way to the end of the barrel, but apparently after the rifles were retired, a lot of the stocks were shortened to entice the hunter to buy a surplus rifle. This one is missing the original barrel band, but I have found an original on ebay, which is being shipped as we speak.....I'm also in the process of stripping the stock to apply a darker color, I hate light wood!!.....I have one original bullet for this rifle, and after looking at the price of factory loaded ammo ($140 for 20 rounds)....I have decided to reload for this beast using Magtec 24 ga shotgun brass trimmed to length. Also have to add a slight neck using the Lee .577 die set, going to be using .575 minie balls over 65 grains of black powder!!.....anyway, just wanted to share my find, can't wait to get it looking a little better and to go to the range!!!

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[Hipshot]

Nice find and very interesting !

There is a formula for substituting (SP can't get it right) UNIQUE for the black powder but sorry I don't know what it is!

Hip

[tcrocker]

If you need your money back I'll be glad to take it off yor hands.

[RB Rider]

"A Snider barked in the jungle,
Somebody laughed, and fled..."
Looks like you've paraphrased that famous line in real life...great price on a great rifle..I'm glad you've got the source for brass lined up already...does that mean we get pictures soon?

[Sharpshooter81]

I have refinished the stock tonight....its now American Walnut, a much darker color....I applied 3 coats of satin clearcoat, and I shortened that forestock again about 6"......I like the sporterized look better than the original.....It looks alot better IMO.....pictures coming soon

[moofy07]

Good find with that Snider, lovely old rifle.

[Pat/Rick]

NICE!! This will help fan the flame I've been having to try out BPCR. I haven't done alot of "research" on the Snider conversions yet. My list is loooong LOL! Sure looks like alot of fun to me. Congrats on the find (and the price) Hope you have alot of fun with that!

[Mr Merde]

I am trying to purchase a Snider myself. A friend of mine found it 30 years ago. It was in the wall cavity beside the fireplace, of a house she and her husband were demolishing. The previous owner, 80 years old and having lived inn the house all his life didnt know it was there. Rifle is in beautiful condition and currently resides in a chest in the loft, all greased up and wrapped.

New Zealand had its own strifes and wars. The military had changed over to the Martini Henry rifle and the older Sniders were issued to all the farmers in the trounled atreas. They were supposed to be handed back when the wars were over. Obviously this one wasnt and was sqirreled away.

This particular version is the cavalry carbine version and still has the bar on the left side for the shoulder strap. As said it is in beautiful condition. I will one day own it as my friend doesnt have a firearms licence and worries about theis.

Good luck with your rifle. Its nice to hear of the older ones comming back to life.

Chris

[45BearGun]

Nice score !! Hope it's a shooter.

I've been looking for one in decent shape that I can afford, and a Martini-Henry in 577-450.

[slgabba@yahoo.com]

Great gun, hope it doesn't kick like the .577 tranasurus rex posted earlier.