Snider rifle

Named after the American inventor of its breech-block, Dr Jacob Snider, the Snider was the British army's first breech-loading firearm and was produced, after 1865, as a rifle and a carbine. A modified Pattern 1853 rifle-musket, the Snider featured a solid breech-block incorporating an integral rod. This block, hinged on its left, swung open to reveal the chamber. Closing the block sealed the chamber. When the hammer fell on the exposed end of the rod, the enclosed end struck the detonator.

Bibliography

• Blair, Claude (gen. ed.), Pollard's History of Firearms (London, 1983).
• Roads, Dr Christopher H., The British Soldier's Firearm 1850-1864 (London, 1964)

— Stephen Wood