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    Legacy Member Medalnet's Avatar
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    Martini Henry Purchase

    At last !!! Living in South Africa and being close to the KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields, I finally got myself a deactivated Martini Henry. Unfortunately, although its stopping power is legend and they used them during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, I don't know much more. I have attached a few photos of the markings and symbols and i was hoping that the few experts out there might be able to shed some light on this particular lethal rifle. Appreciated Richard from Durban, South Africa.
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Advisory Panel Patrick Chadwick's Avatar
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    Wow! A stampers paradise!

    On the metal:
    U with broad arrow stands for Union of South Africa. Which came into existence in 1910. So this rifle had a long service history!
    All the little "Crown over E over number" marks are Enfield factory inspectors numbers (not dates!)
    Broad arrow over WD = War department acceptance mark.
    D.P stands for Drill Purpose (only) i.e. not to be fired.
    SX (lined out) = Strengthened Extractor

    On the Wood:
    Roundel with Enfield over hollow 1 = Mk I
    Point-to-point broad arrows = sold out of service mark

    XIX MRC ?
    DFH ?

    All for now ...
    Last edited by Patrick Chadwick; 11-22-2015 at 06:20 PM.

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    Legacy Member Terrylee's Avatar
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    Your Martini Henry carbine was originally Cape Government property - indicated by the KT and deleted C/l\G. According to the U Broad Arrow it was still government property in 1912 when the Colonial Forces were absorbed into the Union Defence Force. The MRC stamped into the butt strongly suggests that it was at some stage issued to one of the Mounted Rifle Clubs which existed in the Cape during the period 1896 - 1910. The fact that it is stamped DP and deactivated is typical of Martini Carbines which ended their careers as cadet rifles. I know - I carried them!

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    Dfh

    DFH = Diamond Fields Horse (South Africa Skennertonicon Broad Arrow Pg 128)
    XIX=19 which translates to Clackmannan (possibly) this was a search through the Britishicon Isles markings and territorial force county associations (Skennerton Broad Arrow Pg 110)
    27 could mean Dumfries (Skennerton Broad Arrow Pg 110) or Rack No. ? or just anything....
    I then looked at Indian markings and British a fair few times but could not find reference to the MRC ?

    Militia Reserve Cavalry (Now that would be to easy I guess)

    Receiver marking I.C.1. ? (As above? India ?) anyway gave it a crack got 1
    Last edited by CINDERS; 11-23-2015 at 10:40 AM.

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    Legacy Member Medalnet's Avatar
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    Wow, all of a sudden the Martini has a personality to go with her reputation !!!! Amazing - thank-you all for that most interesting barrage and wealth of knowledge and suggestions......absolutely fascinating.....

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    Advisory Panel Patrick Chadwick's Avatar
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    MRC?


    Military Rifle Club?

    ---------- Post added at 09:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:59 PM ----------

    As you can see, basically the markings on metal say what it is, and the markings on the wood say where it's been (if you can decipher them).


    I haven't got a copy, but I would guess that somewhere in "The Broad Arrow" one can find IC !!!
    Come on lads, look harder!

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    Advisory Panel Patrick Chadwick's Avatar
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    How about this for a fanciful interpretation?


    The carbine was made by Enfield.
    So the IC does not indicate a maker.
    It is in the position where the model/type was usually indicated.
    Skennertonicon refers to Artillery Carbines AC1 etc. and Cavalry carbines CC1 etc.


    Could IC1 stand for Infantry Carbine 1 ???


    And if you don't agree, can you make a better suggestion?

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    I.C.1. stands for Interchangeable Carbine Mk.1. As you will note the upper Artillery Carbine Issued to the Cape Yeomanry only differs from the lower Cavalry Carbine of the Cape Mounted Rifles by having a different muzzle ring with provision for a bayonet and two sling swivels. Their roles could thus be easily altered by changing these parts.

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    Legacy Member enfieldshooter's Avatar
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    Sorry but I beg to differ. What both of you guys have are 577/450 cal, Mk1 Carbines, 1st class. These were issued to both Cavalry or Artillery units. Later when converted to .303 the designation marking were stamped on the LH side of the action and took a different form. The butt roundel also confirms it was Enfield manufactured and a 1st class arm.

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    Legacy Member 3Miles2Gburg's Avatar
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    Richard - thanks for posting - those are some awesome stamps and marks you have there!

    Everyone else - thanks for sharing your knowledge. It's always a great learning experience.

    Vern

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