| Place | Oceania: Australia, Tasmania |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/10995 |
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Firearm |
| Place made | Belgium |
| Date made | 1871 |
| Conflict |
Australian Colonial Forces, 1854-1900 |
Snider-Enfield Mk II** Naval Rifle : Tasmanian Military Forces
Description
Snider-Enfield 2 Band Naval Rifle Mk II**. Lock marked Crown over V*R and 1863. Breech marked II**. Butt marked BIRMINGHAM and 1871 within a roundel and tang stamped TG 153 indicating Tasmanian Government ownership. The bayonet bar is stamped 743 which would originally matched the bayonet issued with the rifle. It is complete with all original parts. The blueing on the top of the barrel is worn.
History / Summary
This is a Belgian contract Pattern 1858 2 band Naval rifle that has been converted to a Snider breech loading system in 1871 at the Enfield factory, London. It is one of a batch of 210 that was purchased by the Tasmanian Government in 1878. These rifles were also used in New South Wales, and Western Australia issued some to their naval units.