MARTINI IN 45.70

Post by **DuncaninFrance** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:38 pm

Gentlemen! My humble apologies for posting such photographs but I would like some information if anyone can help.

This is a Martini in 45.70 which is owned by a member of the club. As you can see, it is not loved or cared for but that is the way he treats all his weapons.

Suffice it to say that I always shoot at the opposite end of the line to him!!

I would like to know as much about this weapon as possible for 4 main reasons.

1) I am interested.

2) He is interested.

3) Other members are interested.

4) I would like to know what it is worth - if anything - and should it be renovated?

So- to the pictures. The owner is holding it in the first one!

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/ ... 48AWEB.jpg[/pic]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/ ... 26AWEB.jpg[/pic]

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http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/ ... 30AWEB.jpg[/pic]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/ ... 32AWEB.jpg[/pic]

Post by **DuncaninFrance** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:40 pm

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/ ... 33AWEB.jpg[/pic]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/ ... 35AWEB.jpg[/pic]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/ ... 36AWEB.jpg[/pic]

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http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/ ... 41AWEB.jpg[/pic]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/ ... 43AWEB.jpg[/pic]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/ ... 44AWEB.jpg[/pic]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/ ... 45AWEB.jpg[/pic]

Post by **DuncaninFrance** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:48 pm

http://www.martinihenry.com

This is what I found.

Made at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock.

Dated 1886

Mark IV, First Class Arm.

First and Second Proofs - London

Has a Lock Viewers Mark.

Inspectors Mark - E6

Has WD Accepted for Service stamps.

Sold Out Of Service to FIROZPUR ARSENAL, SW Punjab, India and marked Native Service, Nepal.

PeterN2 · Post by **PeterN2** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:56 pm

I have one but in much better condition than that one. Mine has the same stamp in the box on the butt. Why can't he clean and oil the rifle?

Regards

Peter

Post by **DuncaninFrance** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:01 pm

ar****le Peter!

What do you think it is worth in that condition?

Post by **Niner** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:56 pm

The man that owns it doesn't seem to think much of it. He shouldn't want much. Is he going to hold out for the highest bidder?

krinko · Post by **krinko** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:12 am

So, it's had the chamber sleeved to .45/70? Mine requires a bullet considerably wider than the .45/70 allows---does it shoot well?

Anyway, more on the Nepalese connection.

The box contains the name of the Hereditary Prime Minister who arranged the sale of these rifles to Nepal in 1908. One of the Rana family, which effectively ruled the country from 1840-1950ish, with the king as a figurehead.

I am not sure which of the Rana family this is, unfortunately.

Mine was sold out of the Rawul Pindi arsenal and is marked "R P over 10 over 1908" to indicate this. It also has the Rawul Pindi Arsenal roundel. I believe this one you're showing got it's sold out of service mark when it left Firozpur for Nepal.

It's in sorry condition, but looks to be saveable---and why not?

As to price, I paid $500 for mine at the Tulsa Show a couple years ago---it's got a very good bore and no live rust anywhere but then of course it's in the USA. Not much use for calculating prices in Euros, heh?

Pry it out of the Idiot's clutches and save it----damn the torpedos, full speed ahead!

(You should see the 1873 Trapdoor I just bought.)

-----krinko

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 2:51 am

It will be a nice acquisition Duncan.

Does the forward barrel band have a fitting for the bayonet ?

Post by **DuncaninFrance** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:26 am

Is this it?

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/ ... 48BWEB.jpg[/pic]

As you can see, it is in sh*t order. Makes me want to cry

Don't know if he wants to sell it but I would almost offer to do it up for free, just to stop it deteriorating any further - except he wouldn't keep it clean - bastard!

dromia · Post by **dromia** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:09 am

I'd have it rechambered back to its proper configuration 577"/450".

Being a MK IV groove diameter will be at .470".

How does it shoot in 45-70, I can imagine that the throat must get larger from breech to muzzle. I use .460" bullets in my original trapdoor and its a tight to get them to get them seated after resizing. Had to get a special expander, so going up to .470" must be a real challenge.

Unless he's just interested in the internal ballistics and only wants it to go bang.

I'd offer him £150 for it, it'll take some work to make it a shooter I suspect unless the barrels been lined as well as the chamber.

For shooting I replace the rear sight with a Ross aperture. It really helps with the sight picture.

Arthur Smith may still cut Henry rifling, I know he still does Metford cut one for me a couple of years ago.

MARTINI IN 45.70

MARTINI IN 45.70

MARTINI IN 45.70 - PART 2!

I JUST FOUND A SITE!

Martini-Henry MkIV

Because he is an.............

BAYONET