Hay 1858 Pattern Enfield Rifle used in New Zealand by Maori, Military, Police and Settlers also used in the Australian Colonies and both sides in the American Civil War by John Osborne AA,NCGM,DTT,PhD,FSG Background With the outbreak of new hostilities in 1860 the British Forces had learned from the previous New Zealand Wars in the 1840s not to underestimate the fighting skills of the rebelling Maori. By the close of 1864 no large Maori hapu which had been engaged in the war had submitted, or laid down their arms, the Hauhau rebellion continued in a number of areas, provoking a crisis. The British Government was pressing the Colony of New Zealand for the payment of an accumulated debt of ½ a million pounds Sterling and it was estimated that it would cost another 3 million pounds Sterling to suppress the rebellion. The Colony of New Zealand was nearly ruined and the British Government demanded that the New Zealand Colonial Government pay for the cost of the war after 1st January 1865. New Zealand raised a loan, adopted a self reliant policy and using Colonial Forces, continued the War. The previous policy had been to use British troops for the fighting (except for small Colonial Defence Force units like the Forest Rangers), with the New Zealand Colonial forces holding posts and providing transport and support. The new self reliant policy was exactly the reverse of this, with forces being raised from within New Zealand to carry out any necessary engagements. The New Zealand Colonial Government was now desperate to procure modern arms to be able to equip its forces, it wanted only the best arms available and was only able to procure a few hundred arms from the Victorian and New South Wales Colonial Governments so the New Zealand Colonial Government placed an order for 5000 Enfield Long Rifles and Bayonets with its London agent. Unfortunately there were no surplus arms available in England and the agent recommended that the order be placed for the superior 25 bore Hay Pattern Enfield Rifle. The NZ Colonial Government agreed and the order was placed with the Birmingham Gunmakers Isaac Hollis & Son, a second order for another 5000 Hay patterns followed but Isaac Hollis & Son could not supply, so the order was given to Calisher & Terry who subcontracted out to other gun making firms. The New Zealand Government continued to buy more Enfield Rifles and Carbines as available including Long & Short, Artillery and Cavalry carbines and Terry Carbines. At this time between 1853 - 1876 New Zealand was made up of self governing provinces all with their own Armed Constabulary Forces involved with civil policing and where applicable, policing the gold fields. The arms procured and issued by the provinces were separate from, and extra to the arms held and issued by the Colonial Government, also the Colonial Government purchased some arms which it on-sold to the Provincial Governments and Officers and Military Settlers for their own protection and this makes it very confusing for the New Zealand Military & Police Arms Historians and Collectors separating the arms of the Provincial and Colonial Governments. For comparison New Zealand issue Long, Medium and Short Enfield Rifle patterns.

Top; 1853 2nd Pattern Enfield Long Rifle, 39” barrel 3 groove, progressive depth, 1in 78” twist rifling. London proofed, lock marked Crown / VR, 1862 / Tower. NZ / 441 marked on butt tang. Brass furniture, (note the 1853 pattern bayonet will not fit on the larger diameter Hay pattern barrel). Sights ramp to 400yds, ladder to 1000yds Second down; 1858 Hay pattern Enfield (Medium rifle), 36” barrel, 3 groove, progressive depth, 1in 48” twist rifling, Birmingham proofed, lock marked “Hollis & Sheath / Makers to Her Majesties War Department”. NZ /

1517 marked on butt tang (refer image below). Bronze (gun metal) furniture. Sights ramp to 400yds, ladder to 1150yds. (the Hay Pattern Enfield was also adopted by the Australian Colonies and limited numbers were in service with both sides in the American Civil War. Third down; 1856 pattern Enfield Short Rifle made by Adams, 33” barrel 3 groove, progressive depth 1 in 78” twist rifling, London proofed. Lock marked Adams. Stock marked with name of NZ Militiaman owner. All steel furniture for land service. Sights ramp to 400yds, ladder to 1100yds The 1858 Hay Pattern Enfield Medium Rifle Major General Charles Crawford Hay was appointed the first Inspector General of Musketry and Commandant of the Hythe School of Musketry from 1854 to 1867. Hay carried out extensive experimental shooting even up to a mile and found that the 25 bore Pattern 1853 39” barrel three band Enfield Long Rifle shot reasonably well in all conditions with its three groove, progressive depth 1 turn in 78” twist rifling but the accuracy obtained from the 1 in 78” twist 33” barrel short “two band” rifle was only fair and the accuracy from the 24” barrel Artillery Carbine and 20” Cavalry Carbine etc also with 1 in 78” twist was poor. Hay proved in 1857 that a barrel length of 36” gave the same muzzle velocity as the 39” barrel using the standard British Military issue cartridge. After extensive trials Hay determined that a rifling twist of 1 turn in 48” in the 25 bore gave good accuracy from all barrel lengths with their varying muzzle velocities (the longer the barrel up to 36” the higher the muzzle velocity), even the lowest velocity from the 20” barrel cavalry carbine with 1 in 48” twist rifling was still able to rotate the projectile fast enough at the lower muzzle velocity to stabilize it and achieve relatively good short range accuracy. Hay also found that the rear V sight on the 1853 Pattern Long Rifle was too close to the eye for clear focusing and moved the rear sight forward. By shortening the barrel length to 36” the rear sling ring attachment needed to be moved back from in front of the trigger guard to midway between the butt and the trigger guard. Hay also recommended the furniture be made of bronze (gun-metal) rather than brass or steel.

Left two; Markings on butt tangs refer text. Centre two; sight graduations, sight ramp, Hay Snider marks. Technical details of the 1858 Hay Pattern Enfield Rifle (known as the Medium Rifle in New Zealand). Barrel length 36”, caliber 25 bore (max .580” min .577”). Rifling 3 groove progressive depth (max .013” min .011” at breech end), (max .007” min .005” deep at muzzle end). Rifling twist 1 turn in 48”. External barrel diameter taper same as for Pattern 1853, but because the Hay Pattern barrel length is 3” shorter the external muzzle diameter is approximately .040” (1mm) larger therefore requiring a larger diameter socket sleeve hole on the bayonet. Rear barrel band position moved forward. Sights positioned same as the Pattern 1856 Land Service Short Rifle and 1858 Sea Service Short Rifle (which was also developed by Hay), V rear sight graduated - ramp to 400 yards and - ladder to 1,150 yards at top. Furniture bronze (gun-metal) for strength, durability and corrosion resistance.

Lock marks on NZ Hay Pattern Medium Enfield 1865.

Lock marks on NZ Hay Pattern converted to MKIII** Snider 1869.

There were two New Zealand contracts for the Hay pattern Medium Enfield Rifle each of 5000. The first were made by Isaac Hollis & Son (some were made by sub-contracting gun-makers but had the Hollis & Sheath or Isaac Hollis & Son name on the lock plate). The second contract for 5000 was given to Isaac Hollis & Son but they were fully committed with other orders so Calisher & Terry were contracted but they could not fill the complete order so some parts were made by various subcontracting gun-makers including Calisher & Terry and many were assembled at the Tower of London, as was the one in the image above. The Hay Pattern Medium Rifle was the most accurate of all the muzzle loading Enfield Rifles. They were used by all Australasian Colonies competitors at the first (and last using muzzle-loaders) Australasian shooting championships held in Victoria in 1872. New Zealand placed 3rd. For comparison New Zealand issue Long, Medium and Short Snider Enfield Rifle patterns.

Top; 1853 2nd Pattern Enfield Long Rifle, Converted c1868 to Mark II** Snider Action (suicide lock) with 36.5” barrel, 1in 78” twist rifling. London proofed, lock marked Crown/VR, 1861/Enfield. NZ/1231 marked on butt tang, stock and receiver. Brass furniture, Sights ramp to 400 yds, ladder to 950 yds. Second down; 1858 Hay pattern Enfield (Medium rifle), Converted 1869 to Mark III** Snider Action 33.5” barrel, 3 groove, progressive depth, 1in 48” twist rifling, London proofed, lock marked Tower/1865. Butt tang marked S/K/NZ/AC/635. K/635 marked on stock and receiver, Bronze furniture. Sights ramp to 400yds, ladder to 1050yds. The Snider action converted Hay patterns arrived back in NZ in November 1869 and were issued to the Armed Constabulary in Napier & Taupo Districts. Also arriving in November 1869 with the 500 Snider converted Hay patterns were small quantities Snider converted long and short Enfield rifles and Artillery Carbines but it is presently unknown to whom they were issued, research continuing. Third down; 1858 pattern Enfield Short Rifle, converted c1868 to Mark II** Snider Action (suicide lock) with 30.5” barrel 1 in 48” twist 5 groove rifling, London proofed. Lock marked Crown/VR, 1861 (Belgium contract lock). Brass furniture. Sights ramp to 400yds, ladder to 950yds. Note originally this rifle was known as an 1858 pattern Sea Service Rifle. Note position of rear sight moved back and recalibrated to suit snider ammunition. The MKII lock was nicknamed “suicide lock” because it had a tendency to fly open when fired if it was not closed properly or dirt in the action etc prevented it closing and locking properly In August 1869 a comprehensive return of arms and ammunition (no Snider Enfield’s listed) was prepared for the Select Committee. The return showed the arms and ammunition on issue and in store in the Colony of New Zealand to the Armed Constabulary, Militia, Volunteers and Native Auxiliaries. These included over 20,000 serviceable 25 bore Enfield rifles and carbines (included 10,000 Hay pattern medium rifles the principal arm) Long, Short (sword) rifles, Artillery and Cavalry Carbines and included 1763 Terry 30 bore percussion breech loading carbines. There were over 3 million rounds of Enfield Rifle ammunition and half a million rounds of Terry Carbine ammunition. This return of arms also listed the arms issued to individual friendly Maori and included Tupara (double barreled guns) On 16 February 1869 500 Hay Pattern Medium Enfield Rifles were sent to England for conversion to the Snider Breech Loading Mark III Action these arrived back in NZ in November 1869 and were issued to the NZ Armed Constabulary in Napier and Taupo Districts and the Garrisons on the Napier – Taupo Road. The breech loading Hay Pattern Snider proved not to have the long range accuracy of the muzzle loading Enfield Rifles, but the Breech Loading Hay Snider could be reloaded and fired much faster than the Muzzle Loading Enfield. The Snider ammunition delivered equally as good ballistics and accuracy from the 30.5” barrel Snider Enfield Short Rifle with 5 groove 1 in 48 twist rifling compared to the 33.5” barrel Hay pattern Snider and with the added advantage the short rifle could be fitted with a saw back sword bayonet which was more suitable for New Zealand’s bush environment. Most of the New Zealand Hay Pattern Medium Rifles were traded as part exchange for replacement Snider Short rifles (often referred to in New Zealand as Sword Rifles) and most of the 500 New Zealand Hay Patterns converted to Sniders were later altered into carbines for use by the school cadets.

Left; New Zealand Militiaman with his Hay pattern Medium Enfield Rifle and bayonet, Wanganui c1866 Second; Wanganui Rifle Volunteer with his Hay pattern Medium Enfield Rifle c1870 Third: Maori Hau Hau Warrior Tutange Waionui, one of Chief Titokowaru’s best fighting men, as he was in c1868 with his captured Hay Pattern Enfield medium rifle, Patiti (War Hatchet) tucked in waist belt, leather flap covered cartridge box on waist belt supported by shoulder cross belt. Right; an unknown Maori Native Auxiliary with his Hay Pattern Enfield medium rifle Hawkes Bay c1868.

Left, c1865 Takiora maori woman warrior of the Nukumaru hapu, armed with her percussion Tupara (double barrelled gun), she fort on the side of the NZ government and was a guide to Gererals Cameron and Chute, to her left side her NZ Government issue Hay pattern Enfield medium rifle. Centre and right, three images are of unknown Maori Warriors with their NZ Government issue Hay pattern Enfield medium rifle. Images courtesy Alexander Library. Hay Pattern Medium Enfield Rifles in use. Thomas William Potter was born in Streatham, Surrey, England, on 2 August 1843 moved to NZ and between 1863 and 1866 he served in the Colonial Defence Force Cavalry in Hawke's Bay under the name Potter but later changed his name to Porter. During this period he began to study the Maori language. In 1868 Porter served with the Ngati Porou contingent fighting Te Kooti. He performed well enough to be commissioned as an acting sub-inspector in the Armed Constabulary on 5 January 1869, and given the post of second in command of its No 8 (Arawa) Division. Porter's division took part in the final

campaign against Titokowaru in Taranaki between January and April 1869, and in May formed part of the force which invaded the rough and inaccessible Urewera country. Early in 1870 Major Rapata Wahawaha named Porter as the European officer he would like to accompany his force in its expedition into the Urewera mountains in pursuit of Te Kooti. Porter was commissioned as a captain in the New Zealand Militia in June 1870 and appointed adjutant of the East Coast Militia and Volunteer District. Between February 1870 and December 1871 he took part in a series of expeditions against Te Kooti. These expeditions traversed extremely rugged terrain and involved difficult logistic and organizational problems. Porter acted as Rapata's staff officer. During the campaigns Porter 'was a marvel of energy and physical endurance'.

Captain Thomas William Porter's military background and command of the Maori language fitted him for the post of staff officer to Rapata Wahawaha during the 1870 Urewera expeditions in pursuit of the rebel leader Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Turuki. Captain Porter in centre armed with a Terry 30 bore breech loading carbine and his Maori Field Force Auxiliaries are armed with Hay pattern Medium Enfield Rifles. At rear the Garrison Armed Constabulary Force also armed with Hay Pattern Medium Rifles. Courtesy Alexander Turnbull Library

Sub Inspector NZACF/ Captain NZM Thomas William Porter at right armed with his 30 bore Terry carbine and 54 bore Adams revolver  with his Maori Field Force who are armed with 25 bore Hay 1858 Pattern Enfield Medium rifles outside a stockade 1870. Porter who  led a contingent of Ngati Porou, was responsible for the capture of Kereopa in the Urewera in 1871. Images Courtesy Turnbull Library 

Captain Gilbert Mair at left NZ Militia Special Forces and some of his Arawa Flying Column at Kaiteriria c1870, armed with 25 bore Hay Pattern 1858 Enfield Medium Rifles, image courtesy Alexander Turnbull Library Captain Gilbert Mair trained and commanded a special irregular guerilla unit of 100 Te Arawa men, the Arawa Flying Column, in the final campaigns against Te Kooti from 1870 to 1872. The unit was armed with Hay pattern medium Enfield Rifles and stationed at Kaiteriria, on the south-west tip of Lake Rotokakahi. In a series of expeditions Mair and his company scoured the Urewera in pursuit of Te Kooti and his followers. On 15 August 1871 Mair attacked a fortified camp at Waipaoa, east of Lake Waikareiti, but Te Kooti managed to escape. Subsequent forays discovered no trace of the fugitives and Te Kooti finally found sanctuary in the King Country. Mair was born and grew up on the family farm at Whangarei, given the name Tawatawhiti by local Maori but known to his friends as Tawa. Small boned, wiry and athletic, he became a keen sportsman and accomplished horseman. While assisting his father in his kauri gum export business, he came into close contact with many Te Arawa who had moved north from the Rotorua district to dig in the gumfields. He learned to speak Maori fluently and developed an enduring interest in Maori history and culture. Mair was employed as clerk of the court and interpreter in Tauranga when a boundary dispute erupted into fighting in January 1867. The Pirirakau hapu had refused to participate in the surrender to the government in 1864, resisted confiscation within their hapu boundaries and the military settlers feared an attack on Tauranga. Mair volunteered for active service in the militia and was attached to the 1st Regiment of the Waikato Militia. He took part in a series of expeditions mounted by the militia, with the assistance of volunteers and Te Arawa auxiliary forces, to disperse the 'rebels' and their allies. In his first action Mair was mentioned in dispatches for rescuing a soldier under heavy fire, and he was later promoted to ensign after leading an attack on the rifle pits at Taumata, south of Tauranga. In a lone scouting expedition, which he initiated, Mair was able to confirm that a force of Waikato Maori and Ngati Haua sought revenge on Te Arawa by raiding Rotorua. He was dispatched with a small force of Te Arawa to reinforce the Rotorua people and on 17 March 1867, with his men, forced the attackers to retreat after fierce skirmishing at Te Koutu pa. After the arrival of militia reinforcements, an assault was launched on Puraku pa, overlooking the Rotorua basin, which had been occupied and fortified by Waikato Maori under Kihitu. Mair, with 100 Te Arawa, attempted to cut off the retreat from the rear of the pa. For his part in the actions at Te Koutu and Puraku Mair was promoted to lieutenant on 25 April 1867. In March 1869 Te Kooti a spiritual leader and a member of the Ngati Maru hapu of the Rongowhakaata with his followers attacked the Whakatane valley, to obtain ammunition and to secure new recruits. Confronted by a defence force of militia and kupapa hastily organised by Mair, Te Kooti retreated first to Tauaroa pa in the Rangitaiki valley, and then into the Urewera. In May 1869 the government mounted a three-pronged invasion of the Urewera, to crush Te Kooti's resistance. Mair was placed in charge of a force of Te Arawa attached to Armed Constabulary Commissioner G. S. Whitmore's column. As advance guard to the column, Mair and his men stormed and secured Te Harema pa (Maori Fort) near the Whirinaki River on 6 May 1869. Joining up with Colonel J. H. H. St John's column at Ruatahuna, the combined forces foraged and systematically destroyed settlements and food supplies of the Tuhoe hapu, which had offered sanctuary to Te Kooti. Mair took a prominent part in this action. In February 1870 Mair, returning to Rotorua with an Arawa contingent, intercepted Te Arawa elders in the act of negotiating with Te Kooti. Mair immediately attacked Te Kooti and his followers. A long running fight ensued. Te Kooti escaped to the Urewera but lost several men. In recognition of Mair's quick-wittedness, outstanding leadership and personal courage in this action he was promoted to the rank of captain on 7 February 1870 and later awarded the New Zealand Cross. At the time it was believed that Mair had prevented a massacre of the inhabitants of Rotorua while their fighting force was away.

Left; Maori Chief Kereopa te Rau at the Napier Courthouse 8 December 1871 prior to his trial on 21 December and his execution by hanging on 5 January 1872. Courtesy Hawkes Bay Museum and Art Gallery, Napier. Centre and right; Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Turuki c1832 -1891 was a Maori leader, the founder of the Ringatu religion and a guerrilla fighter. While fighting alongside government forces against the Hauhau rebels in 1865, he was accused of spying and exiled to the Chatham Islands without trial along with captured Hauhau, he experienced visions and became a religious leader. In 1868 he led the escape of 168 prisoners, seizing the schooner Rifleman and sailing back to the North Island where he began a series of raids. Images courtesy Alexander Turnbull Library

Special thanks and Acknowledgements to:Hawkes Bay Museum & Art Gallery, Napier www.hbmag.co.nz Osborne Arms Museum, for images of the arms, [email protected] Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington. www.natlib.govt.nz New Zealand National Achieves, Wellington. www.archives.govt.nz New Zealand National Army Museum, Waiouru, www.armymuseum.co.nz New Zealand Police Museum, Porirua, www.police.govt.nz/service/museum Fred Tasker, Blue Thomas, Phil Gregeen J. A. B. Crawford & Paula Savage, Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, www.dnzb.govt.nz http://history-nz.org; http://www.nzetc.org; http://www.teara.govt.nz; www.newzealandwars.co.nz; www.nzhistory.net.nz