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Questions about a Greener Martini target rifle
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08-12-2012 07:33 AM
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Greener and Bonehill and a few other makers, converted surplus .450/.577 martinis into .22 rimfire to support the miniature rifle clubs established after the Boer War. Some are marked, "converted for the N.M.R.A (national miniature rifle association) as well. S-X marking on receiver indicates the service rifle was fitted with a strengthened extractor.
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That is without a doubt a Greener Martini, converted about 1900 to 1910. The rear sight is in the right position but it would have come with a Greener Orthoptic sight and that one looks a bit too crude.
It is interesting in having a full foreend and the butt has a roundel. At the time surplus Martini parts were available by the bucket load and it would be unusual to have anything but a plain, unmarked walnut butt. The foreends were commonly shortened and of other woods.
However the Queens Cup winner version had the full forerend. Sadly yours is not a Queens cup model as it was made for the NRA.
It is an interesting example as it has a full length barrel, same as a Queens Cup model.
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This is not a Greener Martini at all.
It is a just as breakeyp says, a surplus Martini Henry that has been converted to .22 for use in Miniature rifle shooting.
It's not a parts gun and it is not similar to the later fine target guns like the Queens cup rifles.
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To add to the above, from the evidence on the receiver, this started life as an Enfield manufactured MH MK I, was converted to MH MK II, escaped conversion to MM or ME configuration (.303 conversion), and was finally converted by Greener for the Brit's NRA use, which in this case appears to have involved a new .22 barrel in ME contours and fitted with ME wood. In its original form it would have only had military sights, however it is rare to see one that remains that way today, with most of those encountered wearing period rear sights mounted like that shown....or at least having the inletting for such a sight that has since been removed.
The military trainer of the MH era involved the use of a Morris tube fitted to the standard issue rifle, shooting the 297/230 Morris round.
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heres one converted by bonehill as mentioned above -
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That is a very nice MK IV conversion. I've got a MK II and MK III conversion, but haven't snagged a MK IV yet.