ZULU WARS ERA, RARE, 1873 Dated British WD Enfield MK I Martini Henry .577x .450 Obsolete Centre Fire Calibre Service Rifle with Correct MK1 Chequered Butt Plate, Grooved Trigger, Bronze Azis Pin, 3 Sling Swivels, Polished Breech Block Sn 23484:19 ZULU WARS ERA, RARE, 1873 Dated British WD Enfield MK I Martini Henry .577x .450 Obsolete Centre Fire Calibre Service Rifle with Correct MK1 Chequered Butt Plate, Grooved Trigger, Bronze Azis Pin, 3 Sling Swivels, Polished Breech Block Sn 23484:19 Lever Action Obsolete Rifle

This is a very rare, unconverted, and original .577x .450 Martini Henry, 1973 dated mark I British service rifle. The rifle was approved for service in The rifle retains all of the features of the mark I Martini Henry rifle produced prior to 1873 including the chequered butt plate, grooved trigger, exposed trigger nose, a bronze axis pin for the breech block, the bulbous early mark 1 cleaning rod, (the bulbous nose was reduced with later mark I rifles to enable it to clear stuck cartridges, 3 sling swivels and the polished breech block which is stamped S B (strengthened striker). The woodwork and metalwork are crisply stamped with the markings. The rifle retains most of its original blued finish to the barrel and receiver. The receiver is stamped on the right hand side with the Queens crown over VR (Victoria Regina) ENFIELD 1873 (date), an inspection stamp over I (mark I) indicating that this rifle was in service from 1873 and would have been in service during the Zulu wars of 1879. The rifle retains all of the original woodwork and the stock has a nice Enfield roundel stamped on the right hand side R M (Royal Manufactory) WD and ENFIELD I (class I weapon) and various other inspection marks. The wood furniture has just light bumps and bruises to be expected with age and service use. The rifle has a block and blade fore sight, 1400 yard range flip up ladder rear sight. The 32 ½” steel barrels bore is mint with crisp rifling with an overall length of 49 ½”. See section D, Martini arms, RB 92 on page 18 of the Catalogue of the Enfield Pattern Room, British Rifles, published by Her Majesty’s Stationary Office and chapter 3 together pages 35 to 45 together with the colour plates in The Martini-Henry for Queen and Empire by Neil Aspinshaw. NB As an antique obsolete calibre carbine under section 58(2) weapon, no licence is required to possess if retained as a part of a collection or display. An inert 577 x 450 round is included; no licence is required to possess in the U.K. as part of a collection or display. The price for this rare, original and unaltered mark I Martini Henry rifle includes UK delivery. Sn 23484:19