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The British Martini Rifle Series

I found this and thought I would share it. Somebody really seems to me to know what they are talking about this fine old Rifles of the Empire!
Jason’s Martinis

Mark II Artillery Carbine.MFGR- RSAF Enfield, 1878
Stock disc is marked “V.Y.W.A.2 352”. Purchased from a fellow selling off a large collection from Greenland, I think it was. External condition is on the lower end of GOOD, but the internals are like new! The Henry Rifling in this carbine is like new! I’ve never fired this piece. Unfortunately, some bozo took a wire-wheel to the action body, as is plainly visible in pic. Has condemnation markings on it. Hangs on the wall in my office.
Martini-Enfield Mark IIMFGR- RSAF Enfield, 1876
CONV-RSAF Enfield, 1899
Blank stock disc, stock stamped with “Commonwealth Mily Forces” roundel, and Victorian Gov’t markings. Sling is 1941 dated, I think I got it from IMA. Correct for all .303 British arms, as I understand it. Bore is “so-so”. This rifle will generally do 6″ groups at 100 yards…nothing to write home about, but she’s pretty. Externally in excellent condition…my picture doesn’t do her any justice.
Martini-Henry Carbine Mark I (Cav Carbine Mark I)MFGR- W.W. Greener, Birmingham
I bought this rifle from Ken Chaffer in 1998. I think I paid about $400 for it. My guess is that it’s a military Martini that was refurbished and sold to the Western Australian Gov’t by Greener. Action has been polished down, and stripped of any markings. “W.W. Greener Maker Birmingham” is stamped on the opposite side of the action body. There are proof and war department markings on the weapon. Buttstock is marked “W.A. 669”. This is the rifle seen on the front page of my website, www.martinihenry.com, and also on my business cards. Also hangs on the wall in my office. Good little shooter too.
Martini-Enfield Mark IMFGR- BSA & M Co, 1885
CONV- RSAF Enfield, 1896
One of my favorite rifles. Don’t ask me why, because it’s certainly not my best, as far as condition, accuracy or value. I just like this one. Blank stock disc. Action body bears “S.A.” markings. This is another one I got from Ken Chaffer. I don’t think I’ve ever shot this one.
Sportco-Martini, .22 CalThis little cherub wins the “Most Accurate” prize. I bought this rifle from my amigo, the forum’s very own “Hitch”, a short time ago. I first met her at the So-Cal Martini Shoot about a year ago. Hitch made his first mistake, and let me hold her. Then he made his second mistake and let me shoot her. I was fascinated that I could repeatedly hit a 2 Liter soda bottle out at 300 yards with this little hunny. Through bribery, coercion, and Jedi-Mind-Tricks, I convinced Hitch to sell her to me…his third mistake.
The BSA peep sight makes hitting your target almost a sure-thing. Awesome little rifle. Soda cans and rodents beware!
Martini-Henry Mark IVMFGR- RSAF Enfield, 1887
The ugly duckling. Actually, the rifle would look really nice, if there wasn’t a huge sliver of wood missing on the forend, just behind the rear sight. Mechanicals are all good, bore is very good. I impulsively bought this rifle from somebody who solicited me via my website. It’s in a little rougher condition than I nomrally go for (I don’t like fixer-upper rifles). If anybody’s looking for a good shooter, I’d probably be willing to sell or trade this rifle. Shoot me an email.
Martini-Enfield Artillery Carbine Mark I (MEAC I)MFGR- RSAF Enfield, 1882
CONV- HRB Co, 1897
Another Ken Chaffer Rifle. Nice example, wood is great, but metal probably only retains about 40% of original finish. Excellent bore, and internals. Looks really mean with a bayonet attached. Stock disc marked with an issue date, “2 1900”.
Martini-Enfield Mark IMFGR- RSAF Enfield, 1881
CONV- RSAF Enfield, 1896
My first large-frame Martini-Henry, thanks Ken Chaffer! Stock disc is marked “N.S.W. 1899, 1011”. Bore is good, but there are a couple pitted areas. Bore was lapped by Birmingham Repair facility in 1890. Shoots 5″ groups at 100 yards. Mint handguard with no cracks! Embellished with an IMA repro buff leather sling and a reproduction Gary Baron clearing rod. Another one where the picture does it no justice.
Trade Pattern Martini-Enfield CarbineGot this one from Jansa some time back. They told me it was used as a guard’s gun in a prison on Tasmania. Buttstock is marked “T.G. 1787”. No military markings at all on this weapon. Commercial proofmarks.
Greener GP Gun Take-Down ShotgunGarden-variety Greener GP gun. Wood does match, contrary to what the picture shows (stupid digital camera flash). Have shot clay pigeons with this gun, it has an extremely tight pattern. The auto-activated toggle-safety is dreadfully annoying, and has caused me to miss a number of shots. Very fun gun. People at the trap club don’t know what to think of it.
Greener GP Gun Take-Down ShotgunAn older, but nicer example of the GP gun. This rifle differs from the one pictured above, only in that there is a letter “S” for “Safety” on the wrist of the buttstock. The checkering on the butt has been moved rearward approximately 3/16″ to accomodate this “S”. The newer gun doesn’t have this.
Bonehill .22 Caliber ConversionMFGR- RSAF Enfield, 1888 (M-H Mark IV)
CONV- Christopher George Bonehill, Birmingham, date unknown
Here’s a unique one. A .22 Caliber Mark IV with a short lever! Has bore erosion, and thus, a buggered up extractor. Common issue on SMRC conversion rifles. Butt has a unit marking, “Volunteers, East India Railway Rifles”. Had 3 holes drilled into the nocksform, possibly for some sighting device. Had a gunsmith fill these up and brown them to match. Will possibly have this converted to a larger caliber, or sleeved for .22. If only the old girl could talk.
UPDATE!!! 29 JUN 05
My friend Douglas back in Virginia installed a new liner in this rifle. Shoots and extracts like a dream now. Thanks Douglas!
Bonehill .22 Caliber ConversionMFGR- BSA & M Co, 1889 (Indian Contract M-H Mark II)
CONV- Christopher George Bonehill, Birmingham, date unknown
Another SMRC conversion rifle. Underside of forend marked in big letter “DP”. I had Douglas install a liner in this one too, and she’s quite a tack-driver now.
Trade Pattern Martini-Enfield “Short-Rifle”This is another acquisition from my amigo, Hitch. Although, on this one, I think he got the better of me 🙂 Great wood, great rifling, but the breechblock and striker is ultra-buggered. Anybody have a .303 breechblock and/or striker they’re looking to get rid of???
Citadel Martini-Enfield CarbineMFGR- Citadel Arsenal, 1905
The action body on this one has been ground down, but the original HRB Cypher from the 1880’s is partially visible still. Poor fit and finish in general…common on Citadels. Best .303 bore of any of my Martinis! Shoots nice groups at 100 yards. Arabic markings on the disc for the number 010. Anybody want a good shooter? I’m willing to sell/trade this one.
Martini-Henry Mark IVMFGR- RSAF Enfield, 1887
Former Enfield-Martini Mark I. Faint cartouche on the buttstock. Can only identify the letter “W” in it, nothing else. Has “DIK” markings, which I take to mean “Pakistan District Police”. Good shooter with a nice bore. Got this one from Jean Plamondon.
Martini-Henry Mark IIIMFGR- RSAF Enfield, 1879
I got this rifle from John Denner a few years ago. An excellent rifle with “Dominion of Canada” and “5th British Colombia Rifles” markings. Rack number 503.
Francotte CadetsThe lower rifle is the first Martini yours truly ever owned. Have fired this rifle with cartridges made from reformed .22 Hornet cases. It hangs on the wall of my office. Victorian Government markings, number 1015. Tragically, I sanded and tru-oiled this rifle’s wood. Shame on me, but I learned my lesson.
The upper rifle is similar, number 507. The rear sight on the lower one faces forward, but the upper rifle’s rear sight faces rearward! Both examples have BSA 1907 dated barrels.
Martini-Henry Mark IIIMFGR- RSAF Enfield, 1879
A really fine Mark III. I think this one came from Jean Plamondon up in Canada.
Martini-Henry Mark II
MFGR- RSAF Enfield
This is my IMA purchase. I heard stories of some real jewels coming from the cache, so I figured I’d give it a shot. I received it, along with an autographed copy of Christian Cranmer’s book “Treasure is Where You Find It”. Upon arrival, I noticed the forend was very loose near the action body. Disassembly revealed the block on the underside of the barrel for securing the forend was snapped off. It had been arc-welded once! Fortunately, the weld was done by a moron, and it didn’t have very good penetration of the barrel (whew!). I ground both surfaces flat, and silver-soldered the block back into place. Good as new.
Martini-Henry Mark III
MFGR- N.A & A Co.
Currently, the finest rifle in my collection. This is a National Arms & Ammuntion Company Mark III. I purchsed this rifle from a reader of the website from Canada. I don’t plan on shooting this particular rifle, because it’s simply in marvelous condtion. Somebody really cared for this rifle. I have plenty of shooters.
The pointy things.From the top…

  • Pattern 1853 with scabbard
  • Pattern 1876
  • Pattern 1876
  • Elcho Sword Bayonet
  • Pattern 1888 Sword Bayonet
Group photo…squeeze together now. Closer, closer….CLICK!

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