Snider, JACOB

Snider, JACOB, the inventor of a method for converting Enfield muzzle-loading rifles into breechloaders (see BREECH-LOADING, and RIFLES). Originally a Philadelphia wine-merchant, he busied himself in inventions connected with dyeing, brewing, coach-wheels, the sheathing of ships, &c., and crossed to England in 1859 to induce the British government to adopt his system of breech-loading or converting. In this he succeeded, but for one reason or another found himself unable to obtain the expected remuneration. He died 25th October 1866, without having received the reward of his labours, worn out by delays, lawsuits, poverty, and debts.