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The bright idea was to buy a MkIV Martini from IMA because that was the latest made and would have the shortest service life= best quality. The rifle I received, while very nice, turned out to be a MkI upgraded to MkIV. So much for evil conniving. I'm very happy with this rifle and expect that it will be a good shooter. Will find out shortly.
I don't know that IMA would do it, but you could have asked for a C Pattern gun.
Thanks Double D but I just learned all this yesterday. I didn't do my homework and thought I should get one of these rifles before they were gone for good. Knowing the background of this rifle has made it all the more interesting and I'm glad to own it.
Nate you do understand that the "MK I" you are talking about is an Enfield-Martini MK I, not a Martini-Henry MK I. The MH MK IV was made in 3 patterns, the first two of which were conversions from the never issued .40 cal EM MK I rifles. Since both the A and C patterns used new receivers, if you have a reused EM MK I receiver you have a MK IV Pattern B rifle....which is the most common version of the MK IV encountered constituting approximately 42% of total production.
While the Pattern A and B rifles were conversions, they were still essentially all new parts as the EM was never issued since the decision was made that the introduction of a .40 rifle into service at a time that the .303 was coming on line was one supply complication too many.
Richard, I didn't understand that and thank you for the info. I've entered it in my records for this rifle. Man, this is fun.
The linage of Brit military Martini rifles can get a bit confusing to the new comer to the field.
The first ones were Martini-Henrys in 577/450 (with one minor exception concerning a MK VI in .303 that was later redesignated a Martini-Metford.
The second phase was the never issued Enfield-Martini in .40. This was at the same time the .303 was being developed for the Lee rifle and it was decided that adding another cartridge was just one too many complications.
Next came Martini-Metford rifles, which with the exception of the newly made and then redesignated MH MK VI, were conversions of Martini-Henrys to .303 using Metford rifled barrels.
Last of the Martini rifles was the Martini-Enfield, which was a conversion of existing Martini-Henry rifles to .303 using Enfield rifled barrels.
Of course there were a number of carbine variations parallel to the rifle development and numerous volunteer/commercial patterns that adhered more or less to current Brit military standards. With all of the obscure variations created it is quite possible to fill a room with Martinis and not have two identical ones.
This Martini Henry business is even more confusing than listening to a Politician.
Here I was thinking the difference between a !V and earlier versions was the configuration of the top rear of the receiver.
I guess it's not as simple as I thought.
That is part of the challange of collecting firearms during "The Age of Transition". Designs and cartridges became obsolete during production, changes were made, just issued arms were recalled, changed and reissued only to be changed again in a few years. The Martini family sufferred these evolutionary trials perhaps more than most, but were hardly an exception.
If you were REALLY into martini's, Skennerton's three volume set on the Martini explains EVERYTHING with all the markings tools, variations etc. etc.
However you are looking at a $180 dollar cost for the set (plus postage.)
Sort of makes his book on the Lee Enfield look like a bargain;)
Though nothing like as comprehensive a study as Skennerton's work, Dennis Lewis's MARTINI-HENRY .450 RIFLES & CARBINES will be of some help to Martini beginners wishing to get the basics of identification. A lot lighter on the wallet too at around $12 or so. I believe other booklets in that series cover the .303 versions.
Dixie Gun Works muzzleloading, blackpowder and rare antique gun supplies.
Victor
"Always carry a firearm east of Aldgate, Watson."