C1876 WD Enfield Short LeverMade Martini Henry MK II .577x .450 Obsolete Centre Fire Calibre Service Rifle, Re-Proofed in 2003. - A 1073 Martini Henry MK II .577x .450 Obsolete Centre Fire Calibre Service Rifle, Re-proofed in 2003. - A 1073 Single Shot .45 0 Rifles

The Martini Henry rifle was approved and introduced into service in September 1872, these being conversions of the long chambered rifles and were called the mark one. In April 1877, the Martini Henry rifle was much improved by the introduction of the mark II. This is a mark II Martini Henry rifle made at Enfield and is stamped on the right hand side of the receiver ENFIELD II. The date stamp is worn.During the rifles service, it was converted to .303 and the forend shortened to suit the shorter barrel. At the end of its service life, the gun was bought by C.G.Bonehill, a quality Birmingham gunsmith where the .303 barrel was sleeved to .22 long rifle for use of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs. The left hand side of the receiver is stamped CONVERTED BY C.G. BONEHILL OF BIRMINGHAM FOR THE SOCEITY OF MINITURE RILFE CLUBS. Later the rifle was re-barrelled to original 577 x 450. In 2003 submitted for Proof at the Birmingham Proof House where it passed its black powder proof and is stamped on the left hand side of the barrel .577-450BLK.PDR NOT NITRO (Black Powder Proof NOT for Nitro Powders) with the Birmingham Proofmasters stamp. The rifle retains all the military markings on the receiver, trigger guard, underlever and barrel bands. See page 19, Catalogue of the Enfield Pattern Room, British Rifles, HMSO, pages 172 – 173,The Martini-Henry for Queen and Empire by Neil Aspinshaw and The Martini-Henry Note-Book the life and times of a grand old rifle by Malcolm Cobb. The price includes UK delivery. NB As an antique obsolete calibre rifle and no licence is required to own this rifle in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. A 1073