The rifle was issued to the 1st Suffolk Regiment, who were sent to South Africa in late 1899, armourers inspection marks for 1899 are visible on the butt socket, probably final inspection before embarkation.
As the above pics show the Boer "cutomised" the stock after he captured it.
The Suffolk's first offensive of the Boer War was to take a position on what is now known as Suffolk Hill, the Regiment was instructed to climb the hill with bound boots so as to not to alert the Boers, this was the evening of the 5th January 1900 and the morning of 6th january 1900. When the English were within 40 yards of the top of the hill, the Boers opened fire killing 39 of the Suffolks and wounding or taking prisoner a further 99 soldiers. This rifle was captured by the Boers.
Butt disc with 1st Suffolks stamp.
Stock cut down.
Butt shows heavy marking from being carried slung, presumably on horseback.
The Boer inverted the rear sight!
JJ. K Reitz. The Boer owner? JJ and K from the town of Reitz? Anybody au fait with Boer War history, the present owner would like more information.
The rifle was subsequently recaptured by the English later in the War, possibly by the Durham Light Infantry or the Northumberland Fusiliers, and has remained in military posession / storage until September 2005.
