[tanegashimatomurata]

Can anyone give a definitive meaning for this marking on the barrel of an 1866 dated Snider manufactured by BSA.
It appears to be a "sakura" with the character for "troops"
Thank you.

 

[seinen]

Yes, the kanji "hei" may be translated as "soldier" or "troop." I have a B.S.A. Snider conversion that's marked just like this one.

C/

 

[Jareth]

Chip & all is the sakura a navy symbol?

 

[seinen]

Chip & all is the sakura a navy symbol?

Jareth,

At the date that the Snider was adopted for use by the Japanese, I doubt they had much of a Navy, if at all. Sure wish I could figure out what the markings on these Sniders mean.

C/

 

[Edokko]

The Tokugawa shogunate goverment had started a then modern navy since the very late Bakufu era (1860s), but not sure the cherry blossom mark was used specifically for the navy back then.

 

[tanegashimatomurata]

Thank you all for your replies.

Seinen,
Does your BSA Snider have a serial number? My one has only what I think are part or assembly numbers on a few components, nothing that looks like it identifies the particular gun.

 

[Francis C. Allan]

Snider-Enfield

Dear T (etc);

Several of us (Seinen, Edokko, etc) are working on a book covering the Japanese weapons purchases, use and modification during the approximate 1850-1900 time period, exclusive of Muratas. Naturally, your Snider comes within our area of interest. Could you send me some additional photos of your rifle, especially any additional Japanese markings, and any other info on your rifle that you think would be of interest? I would appreciate your input.

Also, on the IJN, the small private navies of the Hans (clans) were incorporated into the then new IJN at the time of the Meiji Restoration. Really interest stuff. They even purchased a ex-Confederate States of American warship, the C.S.A. Jackson, which the U.S. seized as it arrived in Cuba immediately after the Civil War was over. The Dutch and then the British helped in the evolution of the IJN. Someone should write a book about the IJN's evolution.

Frank

 

[Ronin48]

I picked up a Snider with the same markings for Geo. Taylor earlier this year, with Chips, that makes three. I have two Japanese-marked Sniders, one just has a mum stamped in the butt stock and the other has a string of characters/numbers on the barrel and three characters under the stock. It may have had a buttstock mum, there is the remains of a "circle," but some baca refinished the stock.

 

[seinen]

Does your BSA Snider have a serial number? My one has only what I think are part or assembly numbers on a few components, nothing that looks like it identifies the particular gun.

Mine has no external serial numbering. I haven't bothered taking it out of the stock, so it may be internally-numbered.

C/

 

[tanegashimatomurata]

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

Frank.
I'm more than willing to supply photos of my Snider. It doesn't have any other Japanese markings, but I have noted the non-Japanese markings and I will share them for your research. Please send me a message with your email address and I'll get in touch directly.