snider enfield cavalry carbine MK III NWMP?

The Snider first saw action with the British/Indian Army at the battle of Magdolia (Aroghee) in Ethiopia on 10 April 1868; during the battle the Kings own regiment alone fired 10,200 rounds.  The Snider–Enfield served throughout the British Empire, including Cape Colony, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, until its gradual phaseout by the Martini Henry, beginning in 1874. Volunteer and militia forces continued to use it until the late 1880s. It stayed in service with the Indian Army until the mid-1890s.  

The Snider–Enfield was produced in several variants. The most commonly encountered variants were the Rifled Musket or Long Rifle, the Short Rifle, and the Cavalry and Artillery Carbines. The Long Rifle has a 36.5 inches (93 cm) barrel and three barrel bands. Its total length (without bayonet) is 54.25 inches (137.8 cm) in length, longer than most rifles of the time. It was issued to line infantry and has three-groove rifling with one turn in 78 inches (200 cm). The Short Rifle has a 30.5 inches (77 cm) barrel and two barrel bands with iron furniture. 

This variant was issued to sergeants on line infantry and rifle units. It has five-groove rifling with one turn in 48 inches (120 cm). The Cavalry Carbine is half stocked and has only one barrel band. It has a 19.5 inches (50 cm) barrel, with the same rifling as the Short Rifle. The Artillery Carbine has a 21.25 inches (54.0 cm) barrel with a full stock and two barrel bands, and the same rifling as the Short Rifle and Cavalry Carbine.  There was also a shortened rifle for training purposes, aptly named the Cadet Carbine.  It has a full size rear sight and not the small sight seen on Cavalry Carbines.

This example has a perfect bore, bright, shiny , with sharp, crisp, rifling.

The wood is also in excellent condition, solid with no major issues, except some ancient initials art work.  Metal finish has turned a pleasing brown blue patina for the most part but there is still much original dark blue in areas,  actually I have owned many of these rifles and this is the best carbine I have ever had.  The butt stock is stamped 4 over 44, indicating the 4th Hussars and rack or weapon number 44.  Complete with original 2 piece cleaning rod.

The serial number on this carbine is the same on both the breech block and the flip up rear sight, #2183, and unfortunately it is not on the limited list of Mountie carbines by Don Klancher "Arms and Accoutrements of the Mounted Police 1873-1973" at page 182, listing 125 of the 300 plus Snider carbines as acquired by the NWMP.  This Snider does however come very close to a documented NWMP carbine, only 9 numbers below #2192 and as it is understood not all rifles were D.C. marked this being so close to a documented NWMP carbine it would not be a stretch (maybe a little stretch) to assume that this is in fact a NWMP carbine.  Obviously, there is no way to verify this, this is only wishful thinking on my part but for now I will just enjoy the possibilities.  Definitely, a nice, as found, historical, Canadian piece.

oldguns.ca, virtual museum collection.