Once a lifetime.

[Noisydad]

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So, for thirty years a Martini Henry Mk1 (short lever) has been on my bucket list. I blame the movie Zulu
Finally a licensed dealer in my club had one. It’s an 1874 Mk1. He rated the barrel as 7/10 but after two solid hours of scrubbing the crud out I reckon it’s a 9/10. There is a bit of light pitting on the outside but no craters.
Now here’s the really weird thing... THE VERY NEXT DAY a relative contacts me and asks me if I’d be interested in a Martini Henry artillery carbine (Forgotten Weapons has a YT video on them), free to a good home! Of course I said yes - who wouldn’t? The odds of that happening must be enormous! The black powder gods work in mysterious ways!
It’s a 7-8/10 barrel but better condition outside.
I have the gigantic dies, bullet mold 24g brass shotty shells to make into .577-.450 cases already. Let the fun begin!

[No1Mk3]

G'day Noisydad,
Fate works wonders! Only thing is your carbine doesn't look to be an Artillery but a Cavalry. Can you show the front please? Cheers.

[Noisydad]

Would put on more pics but I’m suffering from techno rage do to the stupid invalid photo thing. I’ll keep trying.
The carbine has no bayonet lug and is marked “I.C.1” on the receiver. It’s stock has an EDU DEP ,ENFIELD and two VIC GOV cartouches and is an inch shorter than than the Mk1. It’s original rack number is crossed out and a second one right under it. Maybe it was used by a cadet unit after it’s miltary life?

[Noisydad]

Here tis

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[Stix]

Thats excellent Noisy...

Good luck to you mate...!!

Be sure & show us how it shoots...

[duncan61]

first shotgun every purchased was a 1884 12g greener falling block same as the .577/450 wore it out shooting home made solids'I used to call going ducking greening Australia.Covet the 450 boxer,One day

[No1Mk3]

G'day Noisydad,
Yes, definitely a Cavalry Carbine, has the tapered action leads on the bottom for easy saddle boot entry, no swivels, leather sight cover studs, and correct cavalry fore-end. Education Dept stamp would indicate Cadet use, I wouldn't worry about the cleaning rod as they were removed from service in 1895, but if you wanted one the cavalry rod had a round, ball shaped end, flattened on top, above a tapered collar. they can be found on ebay sometimes, or at gun shows, but my own Cavalry came with an Artillery rod fitted, A very nice looking jigger, should be hours of fun, Cheers.

[wanneroo]

I'd like to get a Martini Henry at some point. My worry is ammunition for it. By the time you buy all the stuff to reload for it, dies, bullets, Bertram Brass cases, black powder set up, etc. that it will cost more than the rifle.

One thing I thought about was getting one of the rifles from the Nepal cache and cleaning it up for fun.

[Noisydad]

Thanks No1, great info
Wanneroo, just do it! One day, one of the funerals you go to will be yours and you’re a long time dead.
Setting up all the gear for an MH ( or any rifle) is still a cheaper hobby than horses, motorbikes or cars!

[No1Mk3]

G'day Noisydad,
Sorry to be a pest, but the MH and it's variations are an interest of mine, so could I bother you for a pic of the left side of the action showing the markings? The lack of a butt swivel suggests to me that it is more likely to be a MkII, than a Mki 3rd Pattern (Improved), or at least an update to MkII specs, Cheers.
I'm off to the range, comp day with WW1 rifles for Armistice Day shoot, plus C&B revolver (Oh, glorious smoke!)

[Sergeant Hartman]

Lol... horses I agree. Bikes I don't know... but cars I reckon they are on par. As You do more range days than track days in a year (not taking about very serious stuff just club cars). Lol

[Noisydad]

No1 you’re not a pest at all. I’m soaking up knowledge!

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[TheDude]

I'd like to get a Martini Henry at some point. My worry is ammunition for it. By the time you buy all the stuff to reload for it, dies, bullets, Bertram Brass cases, black powder set up, etc. that it will cost more than the rifle.

One thing I thought about was getting one of the rifles from the Nepal cache and cleaning it up for fun.

Both my father and I bought rifles from the Nepal cache. I got a snider and he got a Martini Henry. We both paid the extra to IMA for cleaned ones. Import process wasn’t too difficult. Just PTAs and B709a import permits. I’d definitely do it again.

[AZZA'S HJ47]

Its on my list of things to get id love a no4 long lever ive never seen one in oz not even at a range. May import one, one day what sort of dollars we talking to import?

[No1Mk3]

G'day AZZA'S HJ47,
Mk 4 Martinis come up for sale now and then, ring Lawrance, and keep an eye on the auction sites. I bought mine a couple of years ago down here from Australian Arms Auctions for $850, but I feel I got a bargain due to it's condition. Importing through an FFL with an Australian dealer who already has a US export licence is not unreasonable, call Black Range firearms or someone like them and have a chat, Cheers