Martini Enfield in .303 BRit

[newcastle]

Just score don of these. I'm veyr happy with the outcome of a trade of this for a Garand I had. benn fate ron for ages. Rifling looks solid and failry consistent until the last inch or so of the barrel. Of course I will shoot it first to check, but it swallows a new 303 bullet right up to the cartridge case so I"m betting that accuracy won't be the best. It this a case of suck it up and deal with sucky shootability for a poeice for you collection. Has anyone ever counterbored these to get better accuracy? is it even an option?

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[TheDoubleD]

Post some pictures...

How is it marked on right and left sides of the action.

[newcastle]

Right side is marked 1885, with the VR coat of arms and ENFIELD. Left is marked ME . 303, the VR coats of arms and 1898 (I think). all metal parts are marked WD (war department?) and the trigger guard is actually stamped 66 (1866?). Barrel has a four digit serial number starting with 3 (this is all from memory as I'm at work right now) but I couldn't see a serial elsewhere on the rifle. Stock has an Enfield cartouche, unmarked unit disc and VIC GOV cartouche in a circular stamp (Victoria Government?) apparently it came through New Zealand or Oz according to the guy I got it from. receiver has the double arrow 'sold out of service' mark stamped on the left side. Will try to post some pics when I get home tonight. Strangely I've always thought these rifles would feel a bit clunky but actually it feels like a natural point 'n' shooter. it does have some curious circular damage to the wood on the lower forearm on both sides. Almost like someone held it in a vice or G clamp too tightly. no idea what that is though and apart form that the furmiture is in great condition. pics to follow if I can figure out how to attache dthem when I get home tonight.

[martini]

VIC GOV is government of the state of Victoria, Australia. It is a fairly common marking as the Australian colonies took a fair few martinis of various types including cadets.
The trigger guard stamps are the government inspectors stamps at the factory I suspect. Each inspector had his own ID number.
Is there a serial on the rear sight under the leaf?

You may struggle to get accuracy and it depends on the general condition of rifling and especially at the muzzle. Apart from that a simple rifle that should keep going for another hundred years.

[Cottage Hill Bill]

Best best is to reload and try several different bullets. Mine does what's best described as a pattern with .311 bullets but will do 2" or less 100 yard groups with hornady .312 150 or 174 flat based bullets.

[mbonner]

I just got a Martini Enfield, I think it is, in 303, RH side shows Crown, VR, BSA & M Co,
1890, small crown under which is an arrow pointing down, VI and under that is a 1
Left hand side is bare except for the "sold out of service" double arrow and some proof marks.
No stock markings, but these may have been sanded out. Cross-pin to hold forend on.
Breech-block has narrow channel for the 303 case. Thumb rest on action top.
Is this a MK VI (6)?
23" barrel, gun has been sporterised.
What is it?
Mike

[TheDoubleD]

Sure sounds like it a MK VI. I have one also Marked as is your. The Rifle were redesignated as MM MKII. On the out side the are Martini Henry dimensions.

Mine came out of Egypt and is pretty rough. I even have a bayonet that came with it.

Bring it to the Alberta shoot in June, the fellows will ove to see it.

[mbonner]

DoubleD, which Alberta shoot is that? I'm in Western Manitoba
I had the chance to buy an Eygyptian 303 like yours, it was a carbine. It sure was beat up!How long is the barrel on yours?
My bore is a bit dark, I'll have to wait to shoot it, it's so cold here this winter.
The gun has been Bubba'd, barrel lathe turned down, cut to 22 1/2", front sight is off a Rem 788, rear sight has been moved back to 1" ahead of the Knox form.
It did not cost me anything and head-spacing is fine, so mit's a fun gun.
I'll e-mail you a pic if you give me your e-mail address, I can't post pics on forums, unfortunately.
Mike

[TheDoubleD]

Actually you can post pictures here fairly simple. When you click on reply scroll down the page to the additional options section and look for manage attachments button and click on it.

A new widow will open and in the upper right corner will be a button to add files, Click on it and you another widow will open for you to locate the pictures on your hard drive. Follow the screen commands to up load the pictures.

It does sound like bubba has had his way with the rifle.

Here is a link to this years Alberta shoot. Dates for the Alberta Shoot...2011 in Historical Shooting, Competition, and Outings Forum .

This is annual gathering of shooters of off old guns. We do shoot but it is n ot a competition it is more a social gathering. We will shoot the Victorian Rifleman Provincial Match, 13 rounds at 100 yards best 10 hits as score. Then a Mad minute, as many rounds as you can fire in one minute.

We usually break in the afternoon for Tea and scones with Clotted cream.

Here is a link to the pictures from last year Photo's of the 2010 Alberta Victorian Rifleman Playday. in Historical Shooting, Competition, and Outings Forum

The shoot starts with a volley and then in a new twist last a bayonet charge.

Some wear customs, most don't. I wore a bandoleer last year and will expand and wear a Pith Helmet next year.

[mbonner]

That sounds interesting, if the 303 was not so Bubba'd bring it along.
DD, do you know who might have Martini Henry or Martini Enfield actions laying around?
Couple of friends looking to rebarrel, one to 303, the other to 12ga slugs in a rifled barrel.
If you can help, that would be great.
Mike