MKIII receiver question

[AndyBBB3]

New member and first post here.
I've wanted a Martini Henry for a while and came across a cheap one that had all the finish removed and the stock refinished. Cosmetically it's poor, but I wanted it to shoot and the action is tight and everything seems to function. It needs a serious cleaning.

I was attempting to research some of the markings on everything, and noticed that my receiver is unlike any other MKIII receiver I have found. It is missing the thumb rest and has the rear concave shape as the MKIV receivers. The three III mark on the receiver also has the first and last I slightly offset from the central I.

Is it possible this was made as a very late MKIII version using one of the Enfield-Martini 402 rifles? The date is 1887.

I wasn't able to figure out how to add a photo, I think because this is my first post.

Thanks,

Andy B.

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

"The three III mark on the receiver also has the first and last I slightly offset from the central I."

This is usually a sign of a re-used/converted receiver.

"Is it possible this was made as a very late MKIII version using one of the Enfield-Martini 402 rifles? The date is 1887."

Could be, therefore...

I wasn't able to figure out how to add a photo,

... make adding a photo your top priority, and then we can see what you've got.

And now the good news: Don't worry about the appearance. Martin-Henrys are very, very tough. They can look like a disaster externally, and still shoot just fine. I once worked out the force required to stretch the receiver box by 1% (somewhere near the elastic limit), assuming the steel was normal industrial quality, no fancy alloying.

The answer was over 50 tons.*** I.e. you could hang a tank onto the back end. The cross-section of that box beats any bolt-action rifle, regardless of how many lugs it has.

OK, maybe that statement was a wee bit over the top. But seriously, M-Hs are tough!

*** Don't trust my maths, work it out yourself!

[AndyBBB3]

OK. I think I figured out how to add a photo. My "smartphone" does not appear to be smart enough to do it, so I had to find a real computer. LOL

Attachment 105811

[pisco]

i wished my martini henry looked that good mine is all pitted but has a mint bore

[ActionYobbo]

Looks like the finish was removed by sanding or an abrasive pad similar to rifles that were sourced from the sandbox.

[AndyBBB3]

Looks like the finish was removed by sanding or an abrasive pad similar to rifles that were sourced from the sandbox.

That's exactly why I was wondering how this receiver started life. LOL

[Terrylee]

The Martini Henrys Mk IV A, B & C Patterns with their markings.

Attachment 106003Attachment 106004

[englishman_ca]

Which do you want first, the good news or the bad news?

[vykkagur]

Which do you want first, the good news or the bad news?

Well, if no one else is going to bite, I will: What's the good/bad news? The curiosity's killing me!

[englishman_ca]

The bad news is that the 'Mk.III receiver' has totally bogus markings. All of those markings are faked.
It is a Khyber special sold as a souvenir to some GI Joe. The thing is actually a Mk.IV.

Good news is that it is probably a genuine British made unit that has been remarked for sale in the Casbah. It might even be in working condition.