Belgian MH.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Very strange. If this is a Belgian rifle, there must have been proof marks on there somewhere at one time. The 374 will just be a number from a batch, and the others have me baffled.

The Y is a Y, and if the thing in a circle has the same orientation, then it could be a monogram: W inside G.
I can only find one Belgian gunmaker's name that fits - William Grah. Who did, in fact, make sporting Martinis.
But where oh where are the proofmarks???

[read6737]

Where would the proof mark be?`
On the top of the cannon in front of the block?
What should it look like?

Te W in the G does have the same orientation as the Y.

OK 3 more pics.
1 and 3 of the top of the cannon next to the block.
What does the 23 mean?
What is the small mar to the right?

2nd pic underneath same place.
There is something next to the block on the left.?

Now finding that was hard for me as I have 5.5/10 vision at best and not very good focus.

[Anzac15]

The W in the crowned G is Witten, a German manufacturer, I believe. What it's doing on a Belgian MH is a mystery.

[Patrick Chadwick]

The W in the crowned G is Witten, a German manufacturer, I believe. What it's doing on a Belgian MH is a mystery.

Very interesting. Where did you find that?

[Anzac15]

A friend of mine owned a gun shop near me, had a huge library of firearm related books. One was a book on MHs, can't for the life of me remember the name of it, but there was a section on MHs and components manufactured by countries other than Britain..that mark was in there, always kind of stood out. I'm guessing that this Belgian manufacturer bought German barrels and used those? But why would they? The Belgians were always pretty darn good at making those themselves!
Think we have a very interesting subject of conversation here, gents!

---------- Post added at 02:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:42 AM ----------

And...can't really tell from my phone here, but is that a small Maltese Cross at the base of the barrel?

[Anzac15]

Ok, here I am, getting NO sleep. I decided to Google 'Witten Martini Henry'. Take your pick on what to read! Apparently they made rifles for Romania, then South Africa. Also appears that they made just barrels at some point.
Just when I think I know something about MHs, or any other firearm for that matter, something like this pops up! It's maddening, and I love it!

[Patrick Chadwick]

Amazing! And thanks for the tip Anzac15.

[read6737]

Now I know what I am looking for
I have found this after the tip from Anzac15. Thank you.
This what I found.
Unusual Martini in Martini-Henry Forum Forum

Looks just the same but in better condition.

[read6737]

Just took the block to bits.
The Nos match 374. Loading / cocking Lever 374, Sear 4, Trigger block 374.
The only one that does not is the pin / spring carrier, it has 838A on it.
Just seen on the back of the dropping block the 838A again it also has 374 on the side.
There are 2 stamps on the dropping block that I will try and take pics.
Looks like the stamps ether side on the dropping block are the same.
I remember that I did not change the pin now, it was the flat trigger spring.