I have recently acquired an Officers model Snider carbine.  (Officers model because of the checkered stock)  It has no military markings and was made by Frederick Gates of Derby.  Between the barrel and the stock I found a label "Thurstan Forshaw Physician 1875"  
 
The 1881 Census has a record of a Thurstan Forshaw, Physician, living in Smalley Green near Derby, so since that was where the rifle was made I am assuming that he was the owner of my rifle.
 
Does anyone know of a way of tracing if he was ever in any military unit, regular or volunteer?  I live in California so web based research is a lot easier than digging through archives.
 
Thanks
Jim

It is close to a military cavalry carbine, except for a sling swivel on the barrel.  I believe most civilian rifles were more sporterized.  However I could be wrong, there are always different versions showing up.  
 
It may be he used it for local game, or that he was a big game hunter in Africa.  Who knows.  Chasing down the history of a gun from a few titbits of information is one of the interesting parts of restoring these old ladies.
Jim