SNIDER-ENFIELD SHORT RIFLE BAYONET

In 1866, the British Army adopted the Snider system for converting their large stocks of percussion Enfield muzzle-loader rifles to breech loaders; the new version became the Snider-Enfield and was produced in 2 forms, Snider-Enfield LONG rifle having a barrel length of 92.7 centimetres (36 1/2 inches), and the Snider-Enfield SHORT rifle having a barrel length of 76.8 centimetres (30 1/4 inches); the latter was issued to rifle regiments and sergeants of infantry regiments; a 58.4cm (23in) sword bayonet was issued with it; the Snider-Enfield's were used throughout the British Empire from 1866 to 1874 after which they were gradually replaced by the Martini-Henry until 1900; however, their most widespread use until the mid-1890s was in the Indian Army; a nice example complete with scabbard has been priced recently at the equivalent of around $600.00; in good condition with a blade stamp E over a crown atop 41, with working mechanism to affix bayonet to rifle, but without scabbard; overall length 71.1cm (28in)