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Should you have ever been a South African Cadet, you will know why!

Two more Martini Metford Mk III Carbines. Artillery and Cavalry. Issued to the Royal Artillery and the Natal Constabulary. Marking on the A/C probably cancelled upon being offloaded on the Cape...

Sorry, photos in the first post came out in the reverse order and I can't seem to correct it!

Martini Enfield Rifles Mks. I & II

Martini Enfield Cavalry Carbines Mks I, I* & II

Martini Enfield Artillery Carbines Mks I, II. III. & III Natal Pattern

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HMS Canada and one of her rifles.

We need to consider that the DA markings were put onto the rifles and bayonets by the Chileans when they were received with HMS Canada in 1920. Whether this was the complete stock with which she had...

Brian, The stamps on the right front of the receiver appear to be inspection markings. However, I note that none of my 17 Enfield- manufactured Martini Henrys or their Rifle/Carbine derivatives...

The Martini Enfield Mk II Artillery Carbine was a conversion from a Martini Henry Carbine and as such had its converted markings on the left hand side of the action. The markings are also very...

The mortality issue has been on my mind ever since retirement but I intend holding onto my collection for so long as I can still enjoy it. I have a fairly sophisticated database covering every single...

The Bowie bayonet was issued to a few of the Natal Volunteers for use on their Swinburn Henry Carbines. It was considered as being virtually useless and only 190 were acquired. This bayonet saw use...

Zulu War Martini Bayonets (TtoB)

Pat 1853 Bushed
Pat 1876
Pat 1860 Bushed
Pat 1871
Pat 1875 (Natal Volunteers)
Bowie (Swinburn Henry Carbine)

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An excellent justification for not having a clearing rod, but does that rule out an "As Issued" preference?

Previously posted

I have eleven Long Lees ranging from MLM Mk I* to MLE Mk I*, conditions ranging from good to excellent. In virtually all cases the present colouring of the dial sights, front and rear, matches that...

I have both original British clearing rods and Parker Hale cleaning rods. Also the appropriate LM and LE rifles. While the Parker Hale thread is incompatible, the 3/16 X 26 Whitworth works perfectly...

Being dated 1896 the rifle is obviously a Magazine Lee Enfield Mk I. As such the clearing rod is 17.25 inches long. Unlike the earlier rods for the Lee Metford Mk I these had to be used on a...

Daan, I live near you and have two originals. Should you wish to come and take some measurements, just send me a PM. Terry

The 2 indicates that while in its Martini Henry configuration the rifle was downgraded to a second class weapon. This was cancelled when it was converted to Martini Enfield. Commonly observed.

My shortened Martini Henry cadet rifle is in the original .577/.450 caliber, but by my time in the cadets virtually all these rifles had been replaced by shortened Long Lees and .303 Martini...

This Martini is one of the earlier shortened South African cadet rifles. There were still a few left in our school armory when I was a cadet in the late 1950s. I attach photos of a similar one in my...

During my research I do not recollect seeing anything covering refurbishment programs except quite a few documents relating to the upgrading of Long Lees to SMLE configuration ...

Surviving examples show that the South African Military was a long-time purchaser of .303 commercial barrels going right back to the era of the Magazine Lee Enfield (Long Lee). However, from about...

It appears that your rifle has seen South African military service and was allocated a spare Ishapore butt in the process. Although I have not as yet found archival proof I believe that South Africa...