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    to purchase a Martini Henry MKIV

    I have fallen in love with the Martini Henry and am just a few short steps away from buying one, the problem is due I purchase one from IMA or do I wait and keep my eye out for a nice one on Gunbroker or Auction Arms?? I know I cant get one from IMA fairly cheap but they are Napelese and I was told that they are not as good, is this true or should I go for the plunge and get one ASAP??!!
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    (Deceased April 21, 2018) John Sukey (Deceased)'s Avatar
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    The Nepalese ones are listed differently. (Gahendras)based on a Francotte action.
    The rest of the Martini-Henrys are genuine Britishicon make..
    Pay the special select premium. The rifle will most likely be filthy, but then if you were sitting on a rack for a hundred years, you would be too. They most always have good bores. If you are unhappy with the condition, most likely woodwork, IMA has a very good return policy.
    If you get one , go to The Martini-Henry to learn how to take it apart and reassemble. They usually fall apart if you undo enough bits, BUT putting it back together is quite another matter. The instructions are illustrated with very good step by step pics.
    If you want to play ZULU, you need a MkIII. (short lever) A MkIII looks like a Mk2 which looks like a Mk1. The Mk4 is different in appearance but works the same way. MkIV's are mostly rebored .40 calibres since the Government figured they didn't need three different cartridges, (.45, .40, .303)

    If possible, pick up the tools and the bayonet.

    Now the fun starts. Brass is EXPENSIVE, Dies are EXPENSIVE. A 45-70 bullet is NOT going to work as the bores are Larger, so yiou need the Martini Henry bullet mould from RCBS. You should also buy the paperback book on how to paper patch those bullets you cast.

    FORGET ABOUT buying loaded ammo from some suppliers. It won't be as good as the stuff you load.

    Welcome To Buffalo Arms Co. is an excellent source for supplies. Get their catalog.

    One small caveat, on disassembly and reassembly the tiny screw that keeps the cocking indicator in place MUST BE positioned properly. The screw is EASILY snapped off if you get it wrong!!!
    Last edited by John Sukey (Deceased); 04-17-2009 at 08:42 PM.

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    I got one from IMA a couple of years ago and am pleased with it. It came as clean as a whistle. I have yet to attempt getting the components and dies to reload for it. I should get ambitious and photograph it for all to see. Carl

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    Quote Originally Posted by kaotic01 View Post
    I know I cant get one from IMA fairly cheap but they are Napelese and I was told that they are not as good, is this true or should I go for the plunge and get one ASAP??!!
    Who ever told you this does not know beau diddly sqaut about Martini's. THe Martini Henry's offered by IMA are some of the finest Martini's being offered anywhere. Add there customer service policy and you can't go wrong.

    For the new guy, Gunbroker and Auction arms are the absolutely worst place to buy a Martini right now. Most the Martini's offered up on the auction sites are counterfeit and fake. Don't get me wrong, there are some good Martin's offered on the Auction sites, but you are going to have to really know your Martini's to get one.

    John has covered just about everything else, and you can trust what he says. I learned a good deal form him and he knows what he is talking about.

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    Have Always Wanted a Martini Henry rifle

    Have Always Wanted a Martini Henry rifle. Have not had the good fortune. The sun never sets on the Britishicon Empire! Soldiers of the Queen and all that sort of legendary stuff. To hold history in your hands! Best of luck to you! ~ ~ ~ ~


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    kaotic01,

    I'll back up the advice you just been given because I took it and was pleased with the results. The Enfield 1885 MkII I received from Atlanta Cutlery was in great shape, although the buttstock left something to be desired cosmetically in comparrison to the rest of the rifle.
    It's an antique, not a run-of-the-mill milsurp and must be viewed as such. Having said that, my MkII looks better than a lot of wholesale milsurps out there. In my opinion anyway.

    They do need a very thorough cleaning to get a centurys worth of petrified crud off of them. Mine cleaned up very nicely with a bright bore and well defined rifling.
    Ammunition can be an initial setback costwise, but once armed with cases they can be thumbloaded for shorter range fun.

    BTW, IMA draws their stock from AC's warehouse so it doesn't matter who you order from. Experience tells me that AC is a little quicker on delivery times though.

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    (Deceased April 21, 2018) John Sukey (Deceased)'s Avatar
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    Yup, IMA and Atlanta Cutlery are the same folks, just different locations.

    Now a bit more information. There are three versions of the Mk4. A,B, and C.
    Only the A version takes the socket bayonet. Due to the different front sight the B and C versions will only acept the blade bayonet, though ALL versions will accept a blade. even the Mk1, Mk2, and Mk3's. If you do order a Mk4 make sure you tell them which version you want with which bayonet.

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    Save your self some aggrivation and shipping expences. Get it with the bayonet, and get the sling, combo tool oil bottle and muzzle cap.
    john

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    (Deceased April 21, 2018) John Sukey (Deceased)'s Avatar
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    I'll second that. The other bits have been as common as rocking horse turds until They bought out the Nepalese cache. Once that's gone the prices will go up again or the bits will become unobtanium.

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    Thread Starter

    Well that was easy enough

    I just wanted to thank you all for the advice, I am probably going to buy one from either IMA or AC, seeings how IMA is in New Jersey and I am in PA it should not take long to ship here.

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