Make: Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield
Model: Martini-Henry MkIV 1
Serial Number: 831
Year of Manufacture: 1887
Caliber: .577/450 Martini-Henry
Action Type: Lever Operated Single Shot Falling Block Rifle
Barrel Length: 33”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to a small base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight. The sight presents a V-notch when folded down. When up, the ladder has a slider with a V-notch and another V-notch at the top of the ladder.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood with nose cap, front barrel band with sling swivel, rear barrel band, slot for the included cleaning rod, straight grip, straight comb, and smooth steel buttplate. The bottom of the butt shows surface repairs. The top of the grip shows a surface repair and is missing some surface wood. The wood shows scratches, compression marks, and small areas of discoloration. The LOP measures 14" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate and stock hardware show surface erosion and a brown patina. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as a refurbished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with deep rifling. There is light erosion throughout the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle has lost its metal finish. The metal shows scratches, surface erosion, and a brown patina. The screw heads show use. The markings range from clear to faded. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle has a Nepalese marked leather sling attached.
Our Assessment:
“We sloshed you with Martinis, and it wasn’t hardly fair,
But for all the odds against you, Fuzzy-Wuz, you broke the square.”
-Rudyard Kipling
From the Anglo-Zulu War to the reconquest of the Sudan, the Martini-Henry equipped the British Empire from the 1870s to the 1890s as their primary service rifle, and saw continued use into World War I. It was a highly effective single-shot cartridge rifle, and a design that successfully bridged the gap between percussion black-powder arms and the later cartridge repeaters. This example is a Martini-Henry Mark IV 1 rifle made by Enfield. For its age, this rifle retains a surprisingly strong bore, good mechanics, and wear in the metal and wood consistent with its age and military use. This Martini-Henry will make a fine addition to a collection of military small arms. Agreat relic from the British infantry of “Mr. Kipling’s Army”.
RIFLE