Parts to restore a Snider/Enfield

[Blair]

Gabriel,

I truly wish you luck.
But, don't be surprised if the parts made for the P-1856 Short Rifle don't fit your interchangeable RSAF made Enfield P-1960/1 Short Rifle Mk III Snider.
I hope they do.
My best,
Blair

[RattlesnakeJack]

Don't alarm Gabriel unduly, Blair ....  The parts are correct for his rifle, or in any event can certainly be made to fit.  He must replace the fore-stock tip anyway, and can fit its contours to the band and nosecap, rather than having to fit those parts to an existing stock.  Also, if the parts are truly made specifically to fit a Pattern 1856 rifle, that is as I would expect for any such parts to be useable with all of the models of Short Rifle.   For nose cap and barrel-band fitting purposes, the critical difference of the Pattern 1860 and 1861 variants was a slightly heavier barrel profile, which would simply necessitate the removal of a bit more metal from the inner surface of the barrel band, and from the barrel contour of the nosecap, during fitting. 

[Blair]

RattlesnakeJack,

No, I don't wish to do that.
But, he needs to know that there are variations between the P-56 and the P- 60/1 short rifle.
Barrel diameter between the two is no small matter either.
There are also differences between those arms made a RSAF and those produced at Birmingham "BSAT".

Gabriel's gun is of the late RSAF pattern and will not interchange with the BSAT variation.
You all do what you want.
My best,
Blair

[RattlesnakeJack]

Blair:   We aren't talking lock or action parts here ....

Gabriel is fully aware that hand fitting will almost certainly be necessary in this restoration, regardless of what parts he may acquire.   Are you suggesting that there are such significant differences between the Enfield and Birmingham rifles that a forward barrel band and nosecap can't be fitted .... especially when the forestock from the rear band forward must be replaced in the restoration process? 

[Blair]

Rattlesnakejack,

Yes.
That is what I am suggesting.
I wont say they can't be fitted, just that they may not be interchangeable as much as the Mk III Snider.
My best,
Blair

[Gabriel Law]

Grant, I guess I've looked at so many web sites that I got them mixed up.  Thanks for setting this straight.
My goal in the restoration is to make the old rifle as close as I can to what the unaltered rifle would be, and I know there will be some fitting, perhaps lots of it.  I'm up to the task, I believe.  Ideally, it would be best to have a perfect example on the bench to emulate, but I'm pretty much winging it.  It is certainly not my intention to pass this 'restored' rifle off as completely original.  I the condition it is currently, it'll be pretty hard to make it worse.  I appreciate your encouragement and this dialogue has been very enlightening in its own right.  My thanks to everyone who has contributed.

It is unlikely that I can come to Nebraska for a Snider match, I fear.  Not this year, anyway.

[Stu Kettle]

Don't dismiss the idea of a nebraska trip yet - you have until June to finish your project & load ammunition.