Martini-Henry in .303?

[csm102d]

I have been offered what I think is a Martini-Henry. It fits the classic design, etc., except the right side of the Receiver is stamped 1913. Is this a reworked older piece, or were they actually made in Cal.303? With the Lee-Enfield Bolt Action on the scene, were these Military Rifles?

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[TheDoubleD]

Well maybe and with out pictures we can't tell for sure.

The Martini Henry's are right side marked with crown and Cyper, maker, date, view mark and mark of arm. Marks on right side indicate 577/450 with one exception.

With the one exception all .303's or Enfield Martini's are marked on the left side.

Post some good clear pictures of the markings and we will try and figure out what you have. Blurry pictures are a waste of time.

[Patrick Chadwick]

It fits the classic design, etc., except the right side of the Receiver is stamped 1913. Is this a reworked older piece, or were they actually made in Cal.303?

From the date, it must be Egyptian or fake. And it is a Martini-Enfield, not a Martini-Henry. I.e. Martini action with Enfield rifling, not Henry rifling, which was only used for the 450 caliber.

The .303 Martinis that I have seen over here have almost all been carbines. Egyptian "Citadel" production, for (I believe) the Egyptian police, i.e. Egyptian-marked, and largely a reworking of Martini-Enfield parts. The Citadel arsenal took over the Enfield tooling, so the Citadel products were properly made. But they are usually terribly worn. None of them look like anything you would spend more than wallhanger money on. So a very careful inspection is mandatory.

Or, of course, it is a Khyber Pass home-brew. There are plenty of those about as well...

Good pics will give us the answer!

[Ridolpho]

Patrick: Have you been able to find any good references to operations at "Citadel" in Egypt? I assume they're discussed in Skennertons Vol 2 of his "Treatise on the Military Martini" but I can't seem to find a copy for less than $250. I stumbled on a Citadel ME at a gun show where it was priced quite low as, I believe, the owner thought it was "Khyber Pass Special". After much examination of the well worn exterior I finally learned that the CIT????? on the left side of the action body stood for the Egyptian armoury. Just a faint trace of the original British markings on the right side but the barrel indicates original conversion at the Henry Rifled barrel Co. Some interesting Egyptian? script on knox/ reciever. Great shape mechanically and I will definitely be shooting it.

Ridolpho

[TheDoubleD]

Skennerton makes no reference to the Citadel guns. In fact it is hard to find much information on the Citadel guns.

I do have an extra copy of Volume 2 of the Treatise, but it has a damaged spine. I would sell it inexpensively. Email or P/M if you wish to discuss.

Without a good clear description of the markings on the OP's gun preferably pictures there is no way Patrick or I can identify you gun. We can speculate.

Small things like font style, marking order and even something like the Number 1 being replaced with roman numeral I can tell a whole story.

And for what its worth, the Mk VI is consider a Martini Henry in .303.

[Barryeye]

Hey guys, don’t go too hard on the Citadel Martinis. I got one at auction about ten years back. The catalogue described it as being Turkish. Did some research and found out that they are made from British parts but assembled in Egypt. However it is thought that the wood work could be Egyptian. A Citadel that I got to examine recently had a terrible looking stock. Butt had ugly knot holes and it was a strange shade of orange. My own Citadel has a decent stock but I doubt that it is Italian walnut. Note the Citadels do not have a hand guard like the M.E.s. The Egyptians polished off the original M.H. markings on many but not all the specimens I have seen. Also the Citadel bayonet hangs to the side of the barrel like a M.H. and not below like an M.E. (Or is it the other way around?).
Mine functions and shoots very well. The parts and bore are not worn and it is my favourite centre fire Martini to shoot.

[Patrick Chadwick]

And for what its worth, the Mk VI is consider a Martini Henry in .303.

Correct.

---------- Post added at 10:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 AM ----------

Have you been able to find any good references to operations at "Citadel" in Egypt?

As DoubleD wrote, nothing solid.

---------- Post added at 10:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:47 AM ----------

A Citadel that I got to examine recently had a terrible looking stock. Butt had ugly knot holes and it was a strange shade of orange. My own Citadel has a decent stock but I doubt that it is Italian walnut.

Although they were originally properly made, no doubt some have by now been so patched up and repaired that they are effectively of Khyber Pass quality. If you have a good shooter - treasure it!

[pe4king]

I have a 1905 Citidel carbine it shoots really well but I have to say it is brutal on the shoulder with MkV11 ammunition, so I use a load more akin to MkV1 with a 210gr cast boolit at around 2000fps it matches the graduations on the rearsight fairly well, I have used it effectively on a 400yd ETR range and up to 600yds on a standard gallery range.
Its a keeper for me I love shooting it.