Pattern 1856 Enfield Short Rifle used by Rifle Volunteers, 1869 (c)

The Rifle Volunteer movement began in 1859 when fear of French invasion increased. With so many regular troops garrisoning the Empire, it was feared that the British Isles' own defences were dangerously weak. By April 1862, the volunteers had over 160,000 men. Their main role was to harass an invading enemy's flanks, while a volunteer artillery corps manned coastal guns and forts.

As time went on, they became increasingly integrated with the Regular Army. This culminated in the Childers Reforms of 1881 which made the Rifle Volunteers the volunteer battalions of the new county infantry regiments.

This rifle was privately purchased by a volunteer, many of whom took great pride in their marksmanship. Indeed, lots of rifle units were originally based on local shooting clubs.