British, WD, Enfield Made Martini Henry Artillery Carbine MK II .577x .450 Obsolete Centre Fire Calibre - A 1076 Martini Henry Artillery Carbine MK II .577x .450 Obsolete Centre Fire Calibre - A 1076 Single Shot .45 Rifles

The Martini Henry rifle was approved and introduced into service in September 1872, these being conversions of the long chambered rifles and were called the mark one. In April 1877, the Martini Henry rifle was much improved by the introduction of the mark II. In 1891 – 1894, 48,000 mark II rifles were converted to Martini Henry Artillery Carbines MK II by shortening the heavy rifle barrel by 11 ¾ inches to 21 7/16 inches, shortening the forend and repositioning the barrel bands, keeping the large cocking indicator, repositioning the foresight by soldering it on and fitting a carbine foresight. The carbines also carried a brass butt disc and was fitted with butt and forend sling swivels. The mark III extractor was used with the action stamped SX (Strengthened extractor). The barrel was stocked 1 inch from the muzzle enabling the carbine to fit the Pattern 60 sword bayonet. The right hand side of the action is stamped with the Crown over V R over II. The top of the action is stamped SX (Strengthened extractor). The barrel carries Enfield proof marks together with the sold out of service double arrow which are repeated on the left hand side of the action and the stock. The walnut stock is carries the Enfield roundel of R (a crown) M over Enfield (Royal Manufactory Enfield) over II (mark II), a screwed on brass butt disc which is stamped 12.01 and D over P and the sold out of service stamp. The wood furniture has just light bumps and bruises to be expected with age and service use. The barrel’s bore has just light staining consistent with age and service use and well defined rifling. The action works crisply, cocks and dry fires. At the end of this carbines service life, this carbine was relegated to drill purpose for training cadets and other units. The carbine is stamped with DP on the top of the barrel, the stock and under the forend. See page 20, item RB 109, Catalogue of the Enfield Pattern Room, British Rifles, HMSO, pages 98 - 100,The Martini-Henry for Queen and Empire by Neil Aspinshaw and The Martini-Henry Note-Book the life and times of a grand old rifle by Malcolm Cobb. The rifle also comes with a single Inert Deactivated Round Of Kynoch .577/.450 Ammunition. The price for this scarce Artillery carbine includes UK delivery. NB As an antique obsolete calibre rifle and no licence is required to own this rifle in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. A 1076