Royal Irish Constabulary issued Mk 2 Artillery Carbine .577 - 455

[mrclark303]

Evening all, just bought myself a Royal Irish Constabulary issued Artillery Carbine, in good all round shooting condition, much original bluing remaining on the barrel, great looking bore and chamber with no pitting and good woodwork, just missing finish on the action body and lever.

I have spent the evening going over the markings and what a facinating little rifle it it is!

Made as Mk1 by Enfield in 1872, it was subsequently converted to a MK2 and eventually after a period in store, converted into an Artillery Carbine for the Irish Constabulary contact, butt roundel number RIC 9161.

I need a rear sling swivel and correct period sling to finish her off.

Pics in the week chaps, another rifle for careful restoration to live condition and adding to my FAC.

Information

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[bigduke6]

Excuse the phrase John, but wonder if your muzzle will fit my ring.......... on my Artillery Saw back bayonet, its just under the length of the rifle, don't have the scabbard but the bayonet is not bad, decent grips and the teeth on the saw are as sharp as the day it was made, let me know if interested.

[mrclark303]

Definitely interested Geoff, I'll give you a call mate.

I love the look of these little Carbines, been on my shopping list since I put a few rounds down range with one a couple of years back, I don't know what load was used, but it kicked like a mule ... Great fun!

I bought this one for £450, best (potential) shooting condition Artillery I have come across to date.

It appears serviceable to me, but I'm not a gunsmith, so I will get her checked over prior to adding it to my FAC. Detail strip, clean and a little light restoration soon, workload allowing.

[mrclark303]

Morning all,

Well here she is, its interesting, what I thought was age related worn finish to the action body (with my middle age eyes) there appears to be evidence of someone removing the finish looking at the pictures.

No doubt a home re-blue project that never got finished, I will address this with a re blue and blend into the original barrel finish.

I think I will just carefully clean the woodwork and re oil it.

Despite her slightly rough appearance, she's commendably corrosion free as someone had the presence of mind to flood the bore with what appears to be old engine oil back in the day, just a little down at heal, so a bit of work should have this old cannon booming away again...

[Gil Boyd]

What lovely original stamps there by the trigger guard........British Enfield technicians at their finest!

[mrclark303]

Hi Gil, looking forward to the day I can get her onto the range after checks and FAC variation come back, these carbines are "quite lively" things to shoot!

[Gil Boyd]

Very accurate though

[mrclark303]

Very accurate though

Probably so in your capable hands Gil, mine not so much, but I do enjoy shooting them, when you see the energy imparted to the target holder when it thuds home, it makes you shudder, this heavy old round must have inflicted grievous injuries to the enemies of the empire!

These little Artillery carbines in particular pack a fair shoulder wallop to the unwary...

[Gil Boyd]

Not really a problem if you stick to the Marksmans Principles. It was a really effective Carbine in trained hands, and was probably the quickest load rifle in Military hands at the time.

[bigduke6]

Looks excellent John, I'll get them pics to you tonight of the bayonet, I have a .303 carbine that is rough around the edges, but would make a nice companion !!!