.577 inch Blank

There were four marks of blank issued for the Snider plus a sub type of the Mark IV made from converted ball rounds.

Because blanks are subject to far less pressure when fired than ball rounds they can be constructed in a less substantial way and thus made more economically. generally Snider blanks followed this rule and are made of thinner brass sheet than ball rounds.

The first three marks of Snider blank were made specifically for that weapon but by the time the Mark IV was introduced the Martini Henry was in service so that blank was approved for both. Since the base diameters of the two cartridges are identical, in Practice any mark of blank made for the Snider can be used in the Martini Henry and vice versa.

Blank Pattern I

"Cartridge Boxer Blank for Snider Rifle Pattern I" was approved in August 1866 and shown in LoC Paragraph 1328 dated December 1866.

It consisted of a case similar to the Pattern I Ball round with a brass Potet style base. The case was paper covered and according to the Lists of Changes had a purple coloured band of paper around the top of the case gathered together and tied with thread. In practice this appears to have been omitted.

The charge was between 80 and 84 grains of FG blackpowder with two grains of carded wool above, heavier than the Pattern I ball round.

Woolwich records show it was issued from 1866/67 through to 1872/73, a surprisingly long life given the failure of the Pattern I ball round. In 1866/67 the Pattern I blank is described as the "3 dram blank" but later issues are described correctly. Also in 1866/67 Woolwich issued the "2 1/2 dram blank" which given that this is the charge of the ball round may well have been condemned Pattern I ball rounds converted to blank.

Blank Pattern II

"Cartridge Boxer Blank for Snider Rifle .577 inch Bore Pattern II" was approved in April 1867 and shown in LoC Paragraph 1451 dated August 1867. It was of simpler construction than the previous mark and had a plain uncovered brass case with an iron base disc. It utilised the outer cup of the Pattern V ball case and was closed with a crimp.

The charge was about 70 grains of FG blackpowder compressed into a pellet within a paper bag. Above the charge was 2 grains of animal wool.

The Pattern II blank was only issued in 1867/68 and 1868/69.

Blank Mark III

"Cartridge S.A. Blank All Arms Breech-Loading Service Mark III" was approved in December 1867 and shown in LoC Paragraph 1552 dated January 1868. It was designed to be even more economical to produce and had a brown ppaer case fitted into the cup and iron base of the Pattern V ball round.

The charge was about 70 grains of FG blackpowder compressed into a pellet within a paper bag.

Blank Mark IV

"Cartridge S.A. Blank for Breech-Loading Rifles Mark IV" was approved in August 1872 and shown in LoC Paragraph 2332 dated September 1872. This was the first blank specifically intended for both Snider and Martini Henry arms and the title was changed first in 1877 to "Cartridge S.A. Blank BL Boxer 2 1/2 drams Mark IV" and then again later to "Cartridge S.A. Blank Martini Henry or Snider Mark IV". Earlier marks of blank had the title amended to include "Suitable for Snider and Martini Arms"

The Blank Mark IV had an iron base disc secured to a brass cup into which was riveted a paper case comprising two turns and an overlap of brown paper and closed with paper.

The charge was 70 grains of loose RFG or LG blackpowder. This was the main difference to the previous mark.

A version of the Blank Mark IV , like other Martini Henry coiled ammunition, continued to be made in India well into the Twentieth Century since the police and other militia units used the weapons up to at least the 1930s. This was the "Cartridge S.A. Blank Martini-Henry or Snider Mark IV I.P.", "I.P>" standing for "India Pattern". The only discernable diference with these rounds is that the case appers to be made of card rather than paper.

Blank Mark IV Converted

"Cartridge S.A. Blank Martini-Henry or Snider Mark IV Converted" was not approved as a separate mark but could differ greatly from the original Blank Mark IV.