Martini Enfield

[john60wales]

Hello again!I've [hopefully] attached some pics. if someone can help me find out a little more about this rifle I'd be grateful. I just cannot make out the mark on the stock. In some light it seems to start with a V but in other lights it looks more like alike a T?
cheers
john

[jamie5070]

Try asking over on the britishmilitaria.yuku.com website for more answers

[Daan Kemp]

Looks like an 1874 Martini Metford 577/450 upgraded to 303 in 1899.

[john60wales]

Looks like an 1874 Martini Metford 577/450 upgraded to 303 in 1899.

It has Enfield rifling...so surely can't be a Metford?

[Daan Kemp]

Originally made in 577/450 with a Metford rifled barrel, as that was the rifling that worked best with black powder and lead bullets. After the Empire changed to 303, many Martinis were rebarreled to 303, as the only real change was the extractor and barrel. Later change over to Enfield rifling too, after experience with the new magazine LeeMetfords showed the Metford rifling, cordite, and jacketed bullets weren't compatible.

You will see the breechblock isn't 303 size, made for a larger cartridge. These are nice shooting rifles in my restricted experience.

[john60wales]

Originally made in 577/450 with a Metford rifled barrel, as that was the rifling that worked best with black powder and lead bullets. After the Empire changed to 303, many Martinis were rebarreled to 303, as the only real change was the extractor and barrel. Later change over to Enfield rifling too, after experience with the new magazine LeeMetfords showed the Metford rifling, cordite, and jacketed bullets weren't compatible.

You will see the breechblock isn't 303 size, made for a larger cartridge. These are nice shooting rifles in my restricted experience.

I see what you mean about the breech block. It actually groups reasonably well...just not where you aim it😁.
At some point I will slug the bore & see exactly where I am with it..
Cheers
John

[john60wales]

I did a rough bore slug using a .38 soft lead ball...by bashing it into the muzzle end of the rifle. It mic'd at approx .311.
I also used a H&N 8mm bullet head to slug the throat...that came out at .345 dia.
The H&N bullet is softish lead 'washed' with a thin coat of copper..
Cheers
John

[pisco]

If the barrel slugs .311 you have a good one they work well with cast