.303 British Martini-Enfield Mk1 Single Shot Rifle…….(f 826) SOLD
Created on September 13th 2011
An Unmarked Martini-Henry Trade Pattern Single Shot military Rifle
Martini-Henry Rifle
Same single-shot, tipping block, Military Rifle with short underlever but chambered in the new (at the time) British .303 cartridge. Serial numbered 0373 on the breech. Overall length 46.1/2″. Barrel length 30″. 5″ underlever.
Full length Walnut stock with steel butt-plate, one barrel band and metford type nosecap and bayonet fitting. Simple ladder rear sight with off-set aiming “v” notch, graduated to 500 yds on the side of the ramp and up to 1800 yds on the ladder. “373” is stamped on both the base and the ladder of the rear sight. Ramp front sight. Serrated trigger.
Cocking indicator on RHS of action. The action is blued but devoid of any markings apart from the serial number, the “thumb print” and the British proof marks on the tipping block and the action. Under the action, infront of the trigger assembly is the following marking “CL 1” This could be the (Canadian) Caledonian Light Infantry 1st Battalion. Apart from that there are only a few individual single letter markings on the whole of the rest of the weapon. The woodwork also bears no clue to the weapons’ origins as there are no cartouches on it anywhere.
The action has retained a good degree of finish especially on the top and the LHS. On the RHS is the most serious area of decay on the weapon in the form of a small approximately 1″ circle of pitting and loss of colour. The balance of the item has aged well with some case colour hardening still evident on the “inside” of the loading lever. Trigger sling swivle AF. The short handguard over the barrel, between the rear sight and the breech remains intact – these are usually absent.
A good bore with strong deep rifling. A positive, fully functional action, with a crisp trigger pull.
A fine collectible from a transitional period of British military weapon development. One of the last single shot rifles to be produced (this one looks to have been produced from scratch and not a converted .450). These weapons went on for some time, being used in home guard units in WW2 and by Colonial forces around the world where they gave reliable service and now have a reputation for accuracy on the ranges..
£ 775.00
Stock No’ F 826
SOLD
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