Considering joining the club...

[82Trooper]

Hello all.....I am a relative newcomer here, but have the "bug"...
I am considering purchasing a Martini-Henry from IMA...

This is what I am considering:
https://www.ima-usa.com/collections/...d-and-complete

The thought of holding a piece of history in my hands is very appealing....the fact that it "could" have been at Rorke's Drift is almost irresistible...Anything I should look for as extra appealing or to stay away from?

Also, are these for real? Assuming a qualified smith gives the go-ahead to actually shoot the piece....
martini 577-450 to 45lc chamber adapter steel - Other Gun Accessories Parts at GunBroker.com : 792857156

As always...thanks for the advice I would not likely trust to ask for anywhere else.
Mike

Information

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[browningautorifle]

are these for real?

Yes and that sort of thing helps when the rifle may not be up to shooting a full house load. Also cheaper than buying brass and dies and bullets...and learning to paper patch... Well, I did it anyway.

[82Trooper]

So I would assume finding a "local" Martini-Henry is unlikely.....how does one find someone competent to determine if a 140 year old rifle is safe to shoot? What even do they look for, other than the obvious cracks or defects? Does a headspace gauge even exist in this caliber?
Again, thanks in advance for any advice.
Mike

[browningautorifle]

how does one find someone competent to determine if a 140 year old rifle is safe to shoot? What even do they look for, other than the obvious cracks or defects?

That's about it, it turns into an opinion by someone with a licence to do just that very thing. If he specializes in military and antique it might be more to the point. I'd do it myself though, fit and finish, condition being everything. The sub cal would be far easier on the action anyway. I'm sure someone here can point you to someone that can provide headspace gauges...

[303 Gunner]

If you're more interested in the action and rifle itself and not so much the caliber, you could also look to pick up one of the W.W. Greener .22 conversions from the early 1900s. I have one and it's a joy to shoot and absolutely gorgeous to boot.

[82Trooper]

all right...you guys are talking me into this.....

as for the adapter...brass or steel preferred?

[browningautorifle]

Steel adaptors...brass is soft and can damage or stretch over time.

[82Trooper]

I like the idea of the adapter to .45LC .....still some bang, but at a much more reasonable price point. Original caliber ammo seems awful expensive, if you can find it...and I really do nt have the desire to hand load.
I will also look for the referenced .22 adapter...that's a cool idea, too. Are they available, in general? Are they affordable?

[browningautorifle]

the referenced .22 adapter

Not so much available and a collector's piece. I'd turn one myself using an old .22 rifle barrel...the back end would need an offset firing cap to fire the rimfire cartridge. Picture a piece that goes in behind the cartridge and has a nib on one edge. Then it all gets pushed out with a rod after firing. The barrel would be long...full length if I could manage. The chamber insert in .45 would be easier. Guess you could make a .22 insert about 12" long too...longer for accuracy. Barrels were also lined you know...I'd do one for a laugh in a common caliber like .30-30... Then it's centerfire and lower pressure. Still you'd want a good one for that, not one that came from the basement armory of the palace in Afghanistan...covered in Bat Guano.

[303 Gunner]

I like the idea of the adapter to .45LC .....still some bang, but at a much more reasonable price point. Original caliber ammo seems awful expensive, if you can find it...and I really do nt have the desire to hand load.
I will also look for the referenced .22 adapter...that's a cool idea, too. Are they available, in general? Are they affordable?

The .22s I'm referencing were full-blown conversions with new barrels. They were done by W.W. Greener and C.G. Bonehill for the British Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs as target rifles. The founding of the SMRC and the conversion of these .22s was in large part due to the poor performance of British riflemen in the Boer War, with the thought that a populace which already knew how to shoot could be more easily prepared for war. They are, in general, available, but not so much as the unconverted rifle. They run the gambit on price. I've seen anything from $600 to $5,000 depending on condition and who's bidding.