{"product_id":"original-british-p-1871-martini-henry-mkii-short-lever-rifle-by-enfield-dated-1885-with-p-1876-socket-bayonet-and-scabbard","title":"Original British P-1871 Martini-Henry MkII Short Lever Rifle by Enfield Dated 1885 with P-1876 Socket Bayonet and Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: Only One Set Available. The Martini-Henry MkII rifle is best known for its use in the Zulu War at the Battle of Rorke's Drift on 22nd January 1879. This battle was the iconic defense of the mission station by a small force of British and colonial troops; which saw a record award of Victoria Crosses and restored the faith of Victorian Britain in the Army.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Martini-Henry MkII Rifles came straight from our exclusive discovery of arms in the royal palace of Nepal, and bears the correct \u003cstrong\u003eN . S \/ N E P\u003c\/strong\u003e marking on the left side of the barrel under the rear sight, as well as Nepalese Devanagari arsenal markings. The Martini-Henry is probably the most famous military rifle of the Victorian era incorporating the early short lever with 33\" barrel in the new .45 caliber. This was the first manufactured breech loader to be adopted for general issue by the British Army. Internationally known for its role in the movies \"Zulu\" and \"Zulu Dawn\" it should be noted that at the Battle of Isandhlnana in January 1879 where the British lost its entire command of 1300 men, the Zulu's suffered in excess of 2000 casualties. Followed by the memorable action at Rorke's Drift, the Martini Henry Rifle more than any other represents British Colonial rule during the Victorian era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example was purchased at a recent military auction, and is most likely one sold years ago, when the British made P-1876 Bayonets and scabbards were still plentiful. It has a great aged look, and the markings on the right side of the receiver are still fully retained:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(CROWN)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eV.R.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eENFIELD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1885\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(Crowned Broad Arrow)\u003cbr\u003e II.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe royal cypher \u003cstrong\u003eCrown over V.R. \u003c\/strong\u003estands for for \u003cstrong\u003eVictoria Regina\u003c\/strong\u003e. Well, this Queen, who reigned for almost 64 years, had an influence far beyond the British Isles and the British Empire during the Nineteenth Century. Victorian morals dominated the cultured classes of Great Britain and the new United States, and even now, in the Twenty-First Century, nostalgic organizations such as the Victorian Riflemen thrive in the former Colonies. Below this is the date of manufacture, \u003cstrong\u003e1885\u003c\/strong\u003e, and next the \"Lock Viewer's\" marking. Below this is \u003cstrong\u003eII.\u003c\/strong\u003e, or the \"Mark of Arm\", for a MkII \"Short Lever\" Martini-Henry Rifle. While this version had officially stopped military production in 1881, it was still produced under contract for years later, particularly for export to parts of the colonial empire, such as Nepal. there are the correct inspection markings on various parts of the rifle, including proofs on just about every metal component, exactly as there should be.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition of the rifle is very nice, with the original finish on the metalwork worn to a nice plum and gray patina, and the stock wood still in solid condition, with no major damage such a cracks or chunks missing. We can see a few bits of wood filler, but it's definitely a great example, with no major deterioration around the fore stock pins. The butt stock even has some great markings on the right side, and there is also a plugged hole on the bottom, so the stock was actually from a Martini Henry MkI. This type of parts swapping was very common in the Nepalese armory, as well as before they were originally delivered. Both sling swivels are still present and move easily, and the cleaning rod is in great shape, with intact threads. The rear sight also is fully functional, with the slider still relatively tight on the leaf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe checked the action, and it cycles well, with the ejector presenting correctly when the lever is pulled down, though we do not know if it can still eject a spent cartridge. It dry fires correctly, with the long cocking indicator movie correctly, though we cannot see if the striker is still intact. We checked the bore, and the polygonal rifling is still in great shape, showing some light past fouling in the grooves, but no major oxidation or other damage. Please note that this type of rifling, designed so that black powder residue could be easily cleaned off, does not look like standard cut rifling used today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe included P-1876 bayonet is in very good shape, still locking correctly onto the front of the barrel, and has a date of 1 '83 on the ricasso, along with the correct maker markings and proofs. It comes with an original British made scabbard, which has original British issue markings as well as Nepalese. It is in good shape, though there is a repair to the leather where the end fitting is attached, very common to see.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely example of a Martini-Henry MkII rifle, complete with an original bayonet and scabbard, ready to add to your collection and display! We have not seen any this nice for quite some time!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (Rifle):-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1885\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: .577\/450 Martini-Henry\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmmunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 33.22 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 49 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction type: Lever Action Falling Block\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: Single Shot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (Bayonet):-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlade Length: 21 1\/2\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Triangular Socket\u003cbr\u003eSocket Length: 3\"\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 25\"\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 22\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTE:\u003c\/strong\u003e International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45193247719493,"sku":"ONSV26GTGS015","price":1495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26GTGS015.jpg?v=1782156875","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-british-p-1871-martini-henry-mkii-short-lever-rifle-by-enfield-dated-1885-with-p-1876-socket-bayonet-and-scabbard","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}