Victorian British WD Militia London & Birmingham Trade Made MK II / MKII Martini Henry (MH) .577x .450 Obsolete Centre Fire Calibre Short Lever Service Rifle & 1 x Inert Deactivated Round Of Brass Cased .577x .450 Obsolete Centre Fire Calibre Ammunition. A 1105 Single Shot .577 Rifles

Victorian British WD Militia London & Birmingham Trade Made MK II / MKII Martini Henry (MH) .577x .450 Obsolete Centre Fire Calibre Short Lever Service Rifle & 1 x Inert Deactivated Round Of Brass Cased .577x .450 Obsolete Centre Fire Calibre Ammunition. - A 1105

Due to the high demand of arms for the British militia units due to the Chiders reforms of 1881 manufacture of the MK III MH service rifle was introduced (see Chapter 7 of The Martini Henry For Queen & Empire by Aspinshaw). As a cost efficiency measure factory parts of MK II weapons were initially used in the manufacture of the MK III rifles and to assist speed of production contracts for manufacture were offered to the London & gun trade such as Braendlin, Greener, or Field Rifle Company. This is an original Victorian era British WD Militia MK II / MK III .577x .450 calibre short lever service rifle. It has its original woodwork throughout. The wood has bumps and bruises consistent with age and service use. It has a block & blade fore sight, graduated flip up ladder rear sight, smooth steel butt plate, steel cleaning rod & bayonet lug. The 32 ½” blued steel barrel’s bore has staining and residue consistent with age and use & well defined rifling. The barrel has WD proof / inspection marks (illustrated). The action works crisply. There are no externally visible maker or date marks indicating production by the gun trade for the British WD Militia in the transition between the MK II & MK III. The underside of the of the action has a number which looks like a poorly struck ‘01938’. The price includes UK delivery. The rifle is accompanied by a single inert deactivated round of .577x450 ammunition. NB As an Antique, obsolete calibre weapon, no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. A 1105

£975.00