SNIDER VOLUNTEER RIFLE

I acquired this interesting rifle from an Australian dealer back in early 2001. The rifle is said to have come out of South Africa along with a 3-band Snider which was marked "KWT" on its buttstock (King Williams Town). Although there are no markings on the rifle to substantiate this, paperwork accompanying the rifle also indicates that it was used by a member of the Komgha Troop (also called "Samson's Horse") of the Kaffrarian Volunteers. This unit was formed in February 1872 in King Williams Town, South Africa, was renamed "Kaffrarian Mounted Rifles" in May 1883, and was disbanded in September 1892. The unit saw action in the Ninth Kaffir War in 1877, and was also on active service during the period immediately preceeding the Zulu War. Records indicate that units of the Kaffrarian Volunteers were armed with Sniders at least into early 1879.

This particular volunteer rifle has a pistol-grop stock -- rarely seen on Snider longarms. The lock is engraved "John Reeves & Co." (John Reeves is said to have worked at Weaman Row, Birmingham, England, from 1877 to 1886.) The action is a MK III (with locking lug, although the barrel does not carry the "STEEL" marking commonly found on MK III pieces).

The sound and heavy walnut stock is checkered on the wrist and forearm. A sturdy sling swivel is screwed into the buttstock; there is another sling swivel on the forward barrel band. Both barrel bands are screwed on; no band springs are present.

The brass snap cap has a rubber insert, is marked "B LILLYS PATENT" on its perimeter, and is held in place by a brass link chain fastened to a swivel through the forward end of the steel trigger guard. The buttplate, pistol grip cap, nose cap and barrel bands are also made of steel. The barrel is equipped with a saber-type bayonet stud which bears the stamped number "30." The action is tight and in excellent condition, as is the five-groove bore. The rifle came with a period cleaning rod, but is is carbine length -- improper for this 2-band short rifle.