Original Indian Contract British Martini-Henry I.C.1. Carbine by H.R.B. Co. converted to .303 Martini-Enfield Rifle - dated 1894
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Original Item: One-of-a-kind. Well, this is an oddity, a carbine later converted to a rifle, instead of vice versa! In 1892, Henry Rifled Barrel Co was awarded the contract for 30,000 Martini-Henry I.C.1 Cavalry carbines from the Indian Government. These examples were manufactured over a two-year period under full Governmental Viewing in the now mostly obsolete .577/.450 chambering. They can be found dated 1893 & 1894 with an H.R.B_Co marked receiver. For further reference please see martinihenry.org or pages 398-399 of Ian Skennerton's A TREATISE ON THE BRITISH MILITARY MARTINI, 1880-1920.
This very interesting example has the exactly correct receiver markings for one of these carbines:
(CROWN)
V.R.
H.R.B_Co.
1894
(Viewed Mark)
I.C.1.
However, the rest of the carbine is not quite as expected, as this particular carbine offered here was converted to a Martini-Enfield, using a 30 inch long RIFLE barrel, front stock, and associated fittings. The rear sling swivel on the trigger guard was removed, and a new one attached to the butt stock.
This had come out of our acquisition from the Royal Armory of Nepal, so perhaps the Nepalese later fit it with a longer barrel as a replacement after conversion, or maybe it started life as what we see here, we just don't know how it came to be which means its very possibly one-of-a-kind.
A wonderful piece of British and Firearms history! Ready to display!
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: 1894 - converted later
Caliber: .303 British
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 30 Inches
Overall Length: 46 1/4 Inches
Action type: Falling-Block
Feed System: Single Shot
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is not available for international shipping.
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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States.
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