ID: 3600

MKII Martini Henry Rifle Dated 1878

Price: £1500.00

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Description

For Sale: A War Department Mark II Martini–Henry rifle chambered in .577/450 calibre. 1878-dated and made by Birmingham Small Arms Company. The rifle features a 32-inch barrel fitted with a ladder rear sight and secured by two barrel bands incorporating a bayonet lug. The receiver is stamped with a crown over “VR” (Victoria Regina), above “BSA” and the date 1878. The rifle also bears regimental markings, possibly Nepalese or Indian in origin, although the exact unit identification remains uncertain.

Martini-Henry Mk II production during the 1877–1878 Enfield production year was comparatively limited, as the Royal Small Arms Factory focused heavily on converting approximately 450,000 earlier Mk I rifles and altering carbines for cavalry service. Contemporary factory reports from January 1878 note that much of the factory’s output during that period centred on Martini-Henry cavalry carbines rather than new infantry rifles.

The year 1878 was also difficult for British small arms manufacturers, with reduced military orders leaving government stores heavily stocked. Many rifles produced during this period were later sold or transferred abroad, particularly to the Indian subcontinent, which explains why a significant number of 1878-dated Martini-Henry rifles are encountered with Indian or Nepalese service markings.

Manufacturing improvements during the late 1870s significantly reduced production costs. In 1874, a Martini-Henry rifle cost approximately £3 4s 6d to manufacture, but by 1880 this had fallen to around £2 6s 6d due to improved barrel production methods and increased manufacturing efficiency. Overseas orders from Canada, Australia, India, and Egypt subsequently helped restore production levels during the 1880s.

Under current United Kingdom legislation, the rifle qualifies as an antique under Section 58(2) due to its obsolete calibre status and may therefore be possessed without a firearms certificate, subject to applicable law.

Thanks to Neil Epinshaw for his invaluable insight into the 1878 production year of the Martini Henry.
Dimensions: Approximately 126 cm in length.