The Martini Henry in WWII

[Aragorn243]

I purchased a book today titled "World War II in Color" and leafing through on page 110 I noticed a photo of a man with a Martini Henry.

The caption says "A sailor with a US Navy salvage detachment on Anzio tries out what seems to be a locally appropriated Martini-Henry rifle near his bunker living quarters at Anzio on April 15"

It shows a man aiming a Martini-Henry from the sandbagged entry to a fortified position.

Just figured I'd share this oddity with the group. Let you guys speculate on how it got there.

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[Russ303]

every one was short on arms in both world wars and old stocks like the MH and rolling blocks even 71/84 and vetterli rifles were given to rear line troops. they were never intended to make it to the from line but it did happend from time to time.

[browningautorifle]

a locally appropriated Martini-Henry rifle

So, it was found in local possession? That wouldn't surprise me. A hold over from a long forgotten campaign. He would be trying it out of course, not fighting with it.

[Aragorn243]

But how would a Martini Henri find its way to Italy? Perhaps an Italian bring back from an African campaign. The US sailor was just messing with it, not in combat.

[browningautorifle]

Perhaps an Italian bring back from an African campaign.

Probably...

[Flying10uk]

I did read somewhere that they had limited use in WW1 by certain Empire/Commonwealth troops and a few were used against airships with some sort of incendiary or explosive round. Perhaps an Italian "found" it during his service in WW1 and decided that it needed a new home.

I recently came across one of the .22 conversions of the MK2 Martini which was being offered for sale in U.K. deactivated form. It has been very nicely and sympathetically carried out in a professional manner and so I couldn't refuse the chance of owning it. I think that the woodwork is modified original which has been beautifully chequered. I will posts some pictures in due course.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

On a slightly smaller scale, during WW2, Australia issued Cadet Martinis, in .310 Greener / Cadet to all sorts, but mainly Volunteer Defence Corps "militia" units, including mounted infantry types.

They even made proper jacketed "ball" ammo with a "spitzer" form bullet so that, in the event someone in Dad's Army, Antipodean Branch, actually had to use one on a rampaging Japanese invader, they would not be in breach of the appropriate convention.

Things were so grim that the Dalby, Queensland, detachment of said militia built their own 3" mortar AND training ammo, from scratch, in a local engineering shop. It WORKED! Not sure what happened to it and the operators: the mortar was probably confiscated and destroyed and the crew sent to intensive "sensitivity training".

[green]

Could the Martini be a line thrower? Is it a full length photo?

[Aragorn243]

It is a full length photo. When I get a chance, if I can get my scanner working, it's a bit wonky, I'll scan it or maybe take a photo of it.

---------- Post added at 11:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:22 PM ----------

I took a photo of it.

[yulzari]

The Turkish and Belgian Martinis were hot sellers in the old Ottoman Empire Balkans. Especially to the Albanians for one. They could easily have travelled across the Adriatic.