Martini-Henry Mk IV, I* Long Lever Rifle

The Famous Martini-Henry in its last varriation

In full military specifications, the Martini-henry Mk IV, I* single shot rifle chambered in .577-450 This rifle, as with most Mk IV’s was made from unwanted, new Mk1 ME rifles (Metford) They were built in Britian, at Enfield and then sent out to India.  Still in its original chambering, this type of Mk IV would serve for many years with the Indian Army, being seen during the second Boer War and in secondary roles in the First World War.  There are infinite ways of distinguishing exactly what the origins of this rifle are, but the signs are there, most noticeably in the Indian script charaters on the butt-stock.

The famous falling block mechanisum was reliable and extremely strong, in the early days, too strong for the cartridge!  The iconic flat sided action tells its tale; “Royal Cypher / V.R. / ENFIELD / 1886 /crown over arrow / I.V/1″  The allignment of the characters on the last two lines gives hint to its origins. The lever which tips the loading block down is known as a Long Lever, hence the rifles are sometimes known as “Long-Lever Martini’s”.  Tiger stripe to the walnut forend – in the correct light.  The RHS of the buttstock shows many markings; unfortunately without the correct boks I can not identify the main roundal as possibly overstamped, but it appears to be one of the Indian Arsenals.  What is readable is; “R.P. / 5 /08.”  Also, a boxed Indian cartouche with” 4865″ underneath. More important are the markings beneath the roundle, which are; “I V. / I” These match the markings on the side of the action.  Armoury repair at toe, from slamming the rifle down too hard on the drill square!

Overall the rifle is 49″ long.  The round barrel is 33.1/4″ and the trigger pull is 13.3/4″ to centre.  Serrated trigger and cocking indicator, the later being mounted on the RHS of the action, marked with the crows foot arrow. The “flat” at the 12 o’clock position on the rear of the barrel is the long type, indicating this is not a cut-down barrel but freshly made. The same also being marked with the double arrow “S” mark, meaning; Sold out of Service.  Along the barrel just above the woodwork line are multiple inspection and proof marks, including WD marks and another Sold out of Service mark.  Similar WD acceptance marks and various proof marks appear on almost all other components.  The rifle is actually BNP marked.  The rear ladder sight is graduated from 500 to 1300 yards with an open “V” aperture.  The mounting block for the same on the barrel, is marked from 100 to 400 yards and WD marked.

The rifle will accept a triangular socket bayonet, or a Yatagan sword or knife type. Full length cleaning rod under barrel.  The action is mechanically fine and easily ejects. The serrated trigger has a crisp pull to it.  The bore is excellent with a strong set of rifling with no pitting or disruption.  This is likely to be a very good shooter – as in acurrate. Struck-out number on underside of action at front of trigger guard and another simialr number on the underside of the lever which appears to read “F 14”.  There have been many of these on the market in the past, but the challenge now, is to find one in good condition.  An honest and attractive Forth Model Martini-Henry.  The last of an era before Britian and the Commonwealth turned to bolt action rifles.

Section 58ii, No license required to own.

£ 1295.

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