martini 1923 carbine information

[ferdelance]

I have a Martini carbine supposedly in 303. It keyholed horribly and I am trying to find out if it is 303 or some other weird Brit caliber. Also, the regular Martini bayonet does not fit; any ideas? The carbine is marked Enfield 1923 and appears to be a legit rework, n ot Khyber Pass.

I bought a 303 because a relative collected a VC a long time ago. Unfortunately, posthumously because the 450 ammo boxes were screwed down and they could't feed them fast enough.

Information

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[jamie5070]

Ask over on the martini board. If possible post a few pics. Have you checked the crown or slugged the bore?
john

[Richardwv]

I have a Martini carbine supposedly in 303. It keyholed horribly and I am trying to find out if it is 303 or some other weird Brit caliber. Also, the regular Martini bayonet does not fit; any ideas? The carbine is marked Enfield 1923 and appears to be a legit rework, n ot Khyber Pass.

I bought a 303 because a relative collected a VC a long time ago. Unfortunately, posthumously because the 450 ammo boxes were screwed down and they could't feed them fast enough.

Enfield went out of the MH to ME conversion business around 1903 when its equipement and stores went to the Citadel in Egypt. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume the markings are on the righthand side (versus the correct left for a conversion) and it bears Queen Victoria's cypher "V.R.", even though she died in Jan 1901. The country is awash in fakes that fit this basic description. Assuming it is one and you've shot it, count your lucky stars that the only thing bad that happened was a keyhole. Unknown material + unknown fitting = potential Darwin award for anyone shooting one.

Real Enfield conversions are marked on the left side with the original MH markings normally visible...albeit somewhat lightly....on the right side.

[ferdelance]

You are right about hte mismatch between VR and 1923; it should have been GRI. what took me in was tht the stampings are so good. KPs are usually kinda ragged. The 1888 bayonet will not fit.