Martini Bonehill .22 Conversion…………… (F 1203)

Martini-Henry Mk II Converted by Bonehill of Birmingham

By the time the Second Boer War had ended the British Military had realised that they needed to improve the standard of marksmanship within the Force.  It had been prooven that the Boers although outnumbered, had inflicted heavy losses on the British ranks with their vastly superior marksmanship.  Something needed to change – from the grass roots upwards.  Rifle shooting had to be encouraged and vastly improoved, both within the military and the young civilian population of the country.  The concept was to encourage and nurture the craft as ealy as possible, even before enlistment, so competeition shootong and small bore rifle clubs had to be encouraged.  One barrier would be availability and cost of an effective weapon to the average young man, hence conversion of large stocks of obsolete Martini-Henrys.  These were purchased very cheaply by companies like Bonehill of Birmingham, converted down to .22LR and then sold on to the verious outlets.

This example started life in 1872 as an Enfield built Mk I Martini-Henry chambered in .577-450.  The action of the donor rifles is extremely strong and provides a reliable steady shooting platform for the job.  At some point this actual rifle was upgraded straight to a Mk II.  Then the next time it changed was at Bonehill.  The RH side of the action is marked with the “Royal Cypher over V.R. / ENFIELD / 1872 /crown over inverted arrowhead /I.I” The cocking indicator is adjacent.  Short lever under the action.  Full size loading shute with thumb indent to RH rear of action top.  The LHS of the action is marked; – “CONVERTED BY C.G. BONEHILL OF BIRMINGHAM / FOR THE SOCIETY OF MINATURE RIFLE CLUBS”  There are the normal plethera of inspection and acceptance marks spread all over the action and barrel, plus all the furniture on the stock.

The barrel knox form carries more information; the LHS being marked with the serial number “9687 / GUARANTEED BRITISH”.  The top flat shows “AMMUNITION / .22” over multiple proof marks.  The RHS shows the period proof and calibre marks.  The barrel is secured by two bands, just behind the mid-band is the following;- “C.G.BONEHILL BIRMINGHAM”.  The original sights have been removed within the process of the conversion and two vacant drillings remain.  A dovetail fore-sight block provides a base for the Parker Hale Tunnel type front sight. This takes interchangeable sight inserts.  The top of the same is marked;- ” PARKER-HALE / MADE IN  ENGLAND/ P-H 1″ . Overall the rifle is 46.1/2″.  The round barrel is 30.1/4″ and the trigger Pull is 14.3/8″ to center.  The tang sight will lay down for storage or transport by folding backwards.

At some stage the butt-stock has been extended with a piece of Walnut of about 2″ thickness. This has been done very well and smacks of period carpentry – it is impossible to feel the joint with you fingers and eyes closed.  The woodwork itself is an even light honey tan with a perfectly smooth surface.    A vacant steel ID disc is in place with a shaped steel butt-plate which is clearly marked upon the tang with WD and Enfield inspection stamps. The top of the wrist is fitted with a finely adjustable aperture tang sight, once again of the period.  It is fully functionable and adjustable with graduation plates for accuracy.  Very good bore, completely clean and bright.  The rifle was found in the USA and has been reproofed upon import and is ready for the range.  A fine usable yet collectible classic training rifle.  Mecanically sound.

Stock No’ F 1203  – FAC required

£ 795.

Comments Off on Martini Bonehill .22 Conversion…………… (F 1203)