ZULU WARS ERA, 1874 Dated British Martini Henry MK I Converted To MK II Rifle .577x .450 Obsolete Centre Fire Calibre Service Rifle & 1876 Pattern Bayonet . Sn - 21569 ZULU WARS ERA, 1874 Dated British Martini Henry MK I Converted To MK II Rifle .577x .450 Obsolete Centre Fire Calibre Service Rifle & 1876 Pattern Bayonet . Sn - 21569 Single Shot .45 Rifles

This is an early example of an original .577x .450 Martini Henry mark I converted to mark II standard, British service rifle. The rifle is fully ordnance stamped and has its original woodwork throughout. The rifle has a the long cocking indicator block and blade fore sight, flip up ladder rear sight, steel butt plate, sling swivels, correct MK II steel cleaning rod, grooved trigger & bayonet lug. The rifle has an infill below the axis pin which was a modification done in 1875 after the split axis pin was introduced to replace the earlier solid bronze axis pin fitted to early mark I rifles. The 33 ¼ “ steel barrel's bore is clean with crisp rifling and the rifle measures 49 ½” overall. The wood furniture has bumps and bruises to be expected with age and service use. The stock is stamped with the Enfield WD roundel with II stamped over I. The metal work has many WD ordnance inspection marks (illustrated). The action is stamped on the right side Crown VR (Victoria Regina) BSA & M Co (Birmingham Small Arms & Metals Company) 1874 (manufacture date) an inspection stamp Mark I to Mark II conversion designation where the first I is central over the inspection mark with the second I stamped to the right after the conversion of the rifle from a mark I to a mark II. The action works crisply. The rifle comes complete with its as found 1876 Pattern Martini Henry rifle socket bayonet. See section D, Martini arms, RB 93 - 96 on page 18 and 19 of the Catalogue of the Enfield Pattern Room, British Rifles, published by Her Majesty’s Stationary Office and chapters 2 to 4 together with the plate on page 49 in The Martini-Henry for Queen and Empire by Neil Aspinshaw. 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. Sn 21569