Snider single shot rook rifle

Date Uploaded: 14 Mar 2011

Average Rating: 5 out of 5 (1 rating)

A single shot rook rifle in .360 calibre built on a miniature Snider breech-loading action, retailed by James W. Rosier, Melbourne, approximately 1870s.

The Snider action was adopted by the British Government in 1866 as a breech-loading conversion to the current muzzle-loading Enfield Rifle. The adoption was relatively shortlived, as by 1870 the purpose-built breech-loading Martini Henry rifle had been introduced as the main British military rifle.

Civilian sporting rifles mirrored these developments in technology. Rook rifles, which - as the name suggests - were intended for shooting rooks, and other live birds, also found use in the Australian colonies as a popular rabbit or kangaroo rifle.

This one, in excellent original condition, is one of a group of three all retailed by Rosier, two of them having consecutive serial numbers, and the third being only two digits along. With its tasteful foliate engraving to the lock, slender elegant stock and decorative trigger guard, it represent a popular, small calibre sports rifle of the period at the end of the 1860s into the 1870s.

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About the Collector

Llantrisant

Location
Joined: 3 Mar 2011
Last seen: 5 Apr 2013

Items: 30
Collections: 1

Collections

Collections that contain Snider single shot rook rifle:

Windows on a colonial Melbourne industry

Date Created:

13 Mar 2011

Items:

22

Llantrisant's other items

Side Hammer top lever rook rifle

Date Uploaded:

31 Mar 2011
Belgian Flobert saloon pistol, retailed by James W. Rosier, Melbourne

Date Uploaded:

30 Mar 2011
Martini Henry single shot sporting rifle, .577 cal.

Date Uploaded:

16 Mar 2011
Snider single shot rook rifle

Date Uploaded:

14 Mar 2011

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Mike101; Posted on 28 Mar 2011
Hi, My dad and I have a rook rifle just like the one that you have shown in the photo (mini snider in 360 caliber). Ours says "T. Bland & Son" rather than "Rosier" on top of the barrel just ahead of the breech block. We haven't seen another one like it, at least not here in Canada. If you have any other info (including prices if you have seen them sold) we would be very appreciative. Mike from Canada

Llantrisant; Posted on 30 Mar 2011
Hi Mike, T. Bland is Thomas Bland (b.1822) of Birmingham, the 'heart' of the English gun trade in the second half of the 19th century. For a bit of a summary of Bland, check out this thread: http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=84345 Particularly PeteM's post about half way down on the 8 December last year. In terms of price, I can't speak on the Canadian market, but have three of these Rosier retailed Snider rooks in .360, all Birmingham proofed, two consecutive numbers and the third only two numbers along. They have varied more than a $1K in value, all depending on condition; from around the $AU 900 mark up to over $2.5K for really top-shelf condition. Hope that helps. If it's in good condition, treasure it; they're a really attractive little rifle.

glen; Posted on 24 Apr 2012
Hi i have j w rosier .36 snider rook riflle looking for cartridges to suit and value of rifle