Snider-Enfield M1867

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	Weapon: Snider-Enfield M1867 Type: Infantry Rifle Country of Origin: United Kingdom Year Adopted: 1867 Overall Length (mm): 1250.0 Overall Length (in): 49.21 Weight (kg): 4.00 Weight (pounds): 8.82

The Snider-Enfield M1867 was a British breech-loading rifle, developed as a conversion of the earlier Enfield Pattern 1853 rifled musket. Chambered in .577 Snider, the rifle featured a hinged breechblock mechanism, which allowed soldiers to load the rifle from the rear, greatly improving the rate of fire compared to muzzle-loaders. The Snider-Enfield was one of the first breech-loading rifles adopted by the British Army.

The Snider-Enfield saw service in the British Empire during various colonial conflicts in the late 19th century. It was particularly effective in engagements against indigenous forces armed with older weaponry, where its increased rate of fire gave British troops a significant advantage. The rifle remained in service for several decades before being replaced by more modern firearms, such as the Martini-Henry.

The Snider-Enfield is remembered as a key development in British military arms, marking the transition from muzzle-loaders to breech-loaders. It is still a popular rifle among collectors, appreciated for its historical significance and the innovative design that helped revolutionize military firearms in the late 19th century.