MINT BORE**MK 1 FEATURES**ZULU WARS ERA**1874 British WD MK 1 1878 Converted To MK II Enfield Martini Henry .577x .450 Short Lever British Service Rifle, Sling, WD 1876 Pattern Socket Bayonet Scabbard & 1 x Inert Deactivated Round. Sn 21210 Single Shot .577 Rifles

**MINT BORE**MK 1 FEATURES**ZULU WARS ERA**1874 British WD MK 1 1878 Converted To MK II Enfield Martini Henry .577x .450 Short Lever British Service Rifle, Sling, WD 1876 Pattern Socket Bayonet Scabbard & 1 x Inert Deactivated Round. Sn 21210 - 21210

This is an original British WD .577x .450 Martini Henry, short lever Service Rifle. This rifle was made in 1874 and was converted to MK II in 1878 just 1 year before the Zulu Wars of short time before the Zulu Wars of 1879. It has its original woodwork throughout with just the bumps and bruises to be expected with age and service use. It has sling swivels fitted with period leather sling, cleaning rod & bayonet lug. The 32 ½” steel barrel’s bore is near mint clean and bright with crisp Henry rifling (49 ½” overall). The metal work has even patina & the action is stamped on the right side Crown VR (Victoria Regina) Enfield Mark I to MK II model designation and dated '1874' together with WD arrow. The rifle retains its original MK I grooved trigger & MK I chequered steel butt plate. The barrel & action have British WD proofs & the wood is impressed with 1878 conversion roundel (illustrated). The wood near to the rear sling swivel is impressed ‘MT (indicating that at some point in its life it may have been fitted with a Morris Aiming Tube (a period small calibre rifled practice tube for insertion in the barrel of a rifle, see page 247 of The Martini Henry Rifle by Aspinshaw) & what looks like JPR’ (Jaipur Armoury India) indicating later British Army in India issue. ‘MT’ is repeated on the barrel shank. The rifle has a block and blade fore sight, original small flip up rear sight for use small calibre training rounds when fitted with a Morris tube (its original period full size rear sight frame accompanies the rifle). The action works correctly and is fully functional. The underside of the action has a partially readable number ‘***86’. The rifle comes with an original British WD 1876 Pattern Martini Henry Rifle Socket Bayonet (see pages 145 and 147 of Skennerton’s book British & Commonwealth Bayonets). The 21 ¾” long triangular section blade has just light staining consistent with age. The blade is stamped with WD broad arrow and Nepalese marks again indicating later India / Nepalese issue after British service. The 3” long socket has the correct locking ring. Overall length is 25 ¼”. It is complete with original brass mounted leather scabbard. All leather & stitching are intact. The throat mount has WD inspection & Nepalese marks. The rifle also comes with a single Inert Deactivated Round of .577/.450 Ammunition. The price for this excellent well marked Zulu wars era Martini Henry includes UK delivery. 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. Sn 21210

£2,350.00