Westley Richards .451 inch Pattern No 5 'Monkey Tail' carbine, Honourable Artillery Company, 1867 (c)

Made by Westley Richards and Company, Birmingham, 1866.

This carbine is a capping breechloader which uses a paper cartridge and percussion cap. The nickname 'Monkey Tail' comes from the distinct shape of the receiver which is raised to enable the cartridge to be inserted. As well as being issued to auxiliary units at home, the 'Monkey Tail' was exported as a trade carbine and was particularly popular with the Boers in South Africa.