+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 18

Thread: The Martini Henry in WWII

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 08:31 AM
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    6,974
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    11:01 AM

    The Martini Henry in WWII

    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.
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    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.
     

  3. #2
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Russ303's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Last On
    11-07-2016 @ 06:48 AM
    Location
    NS Canada
    Posts
    3
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    11:01 AM
    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.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 10:04 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,838
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:01 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Aragorn243 View Post
    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.
    Regards, Jim

  6. #4
    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 08:31 AM
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    6,974
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    11:01 AM
    Thread Starter
    But how would a Martini Henri find its way to Italy? Perhaps an Italianicon bring back from an African campaign. The US sailor was just messing with it, not in combat.

  7. #5
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 10:04 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,838
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:01 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Aragorn243 View Post
    Perhaps an Italianicon bring back from an African campaign.
    Probably...
    Regards, Jim

  8. #6
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:53 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    5,075
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:01 PM
    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 Italianicon "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.

  9. #7
    Legacy Member Bruce_in_Oz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 04:54 AM
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    2,237
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:01 AM
    On a slightly smaller scale, during WW2, Australiaicon 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 Japaneseicon 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".

  10. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to Bruce_in_Oz For This Useful Post:


  11. #8
    Advisory Panel green's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    12-22-2023 @ 08:18 PM
    Posts
    445
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    10:01 AM
    Could the Martini be a line thrower? Is it a full length photo?

  12. #9
    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 08:31 AM
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    6,974
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    11:01 AM
    Thread Starter
    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.


  13. Thank You to Aragorn243 For This Useful Post:


  14. #10
    Legacy Member yulzari's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Last On
    09-13-2020 @ 03:25 PM
    Location
    Limousin France
    Posts
    19
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:01 PM
    The Turkishicon 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.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. New Martini Henry MK IV
    By Aragorn243 in forum Martini Henry Rifles
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 02-05-2016, 09:34 PM
  2. LSA Martini Henry 577-450
    By Von Gruff in forum Martini Henry Rifles
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 04-27-2014, 03:30 AM
  3. Martini-Henry in .303?
    By csm102d in forum Martini Henry Rifles
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 08-12-2012, 04:20 PM
  4. Martini Henry 303
    By douglas670 in forum Martini Henry Rifles
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-30-2010, 02:32 PM
  5. Best Martini Henry
    By MIL rifle1 in forum Martini Henry Rifles
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 03-08-2010, 05:14 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks