A Pint in the Artists' Rifles and a new Martini Henry.
Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 9:22 am
I had a good day at Bisley yesterday. First I bought a Martini Henry and then met up with Adam and his mate Jim at the Artists' for a pint and a natter. I only wish I could have stayed longer in their excellent company.
The Martini Henry just 'sort of happened'. I was talking to a dealer friend of mine who just happened to have taken it in part exchange the previous day. Money changed hands and I'm now the proud owner of an 1889 BSA & M Co Mk II rifle in .577/450.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/ ... 46_2_1.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END-->
In the above shot the cleaning rod isn't shown as it is very difficult to remove and replace and I haven't yet worked out why. As you can see, the rifle came with what I thought was a repro sling. I'm now convinced that it is the genuine article as it has had many coats of blanco applied over a long period.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/ ... 44_3_1.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END-->
The 1889 date is very late for a Mk II so this must have been a government contract rifle that was for supply to the colonies.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/ ... 43_1_1.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END-->
The butt is stamped with the Fort William Arsenal rondel and the date 11 1894. There are also some markings in what could be Sanskrit(?)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/ ... 45_4_1.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END-->
The letters NS NEP under the rear sight suggest "Nepal" so the rifle more than likely saw service on the North West Frontier.
The rifling is very sharp and, having fully stripped and rebuilt the action, I would say that it has had very little use. The internals show no signs of wear and the trigger pull is remarkably crisp. None of the screw heads has been butchered.
After the purchase I approached a number of stallholders regarding reloading dies, brass etc and got the old teeth-sucking routine. "You'll be bloody lucky, mate" etc. There was some brass but at £63 for 20 cases I decided to make enquiries in the USA.
So, does anyone have a mate who wants to sell a set of .577/450 dies and some sensibly priced cases?
Also can anyone throw any light on "Fort William Arsenal" and the "NS NEP" Inscription?
If only these old rifles could talk!
Brian
<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p089.ezboard.com/bmilsurpafterho ... brit>Brian the Brit</A> at: 5/29/05 9:06 am
</i>
The Martini Henry just 'sort of happened'. I was talking to a dealer friend of mine who just happened to have taken it in part exchange the previous day. Money changed hands and I'm now the proud owner of an 1889 BSA & M Co Mk II rifle in .577/450.
In the above shot the cleaning rod isn't shown as it is very difficult to remove and replace and I haven't yet worked out why. As you can see, the rifle came with what I thought was a repro sling. I'm now convinced that it is the genuine article as it has had many coats of blanco applied over a long period.
The 1889 date is very late for a Mk II so this must have been a government contract rifle that was for supply to the colonies.
The butt is stamped with the Fort William Arsenal rondel and the date 11 1894. There are also some markings in what could be Sanskrit(?)
The letters NS NEP under the rear sight suggest "Nepal" so the rifle more than likely saw service on the North West Frontier.
The rifling is very sharp and, having fully stripped and rebuilt the action, I would say that it has had very little use. The internals show no signs of wear and the trigger pull is remarkably crisp. None of the screw heads has been butchered.
After the purchase I approached a number of stallholders regarding reloading dies, brass etc and got the old teeth-sucking routine. "You'll be bloody lucky, mate" etc. There was some brass but at £63 for 20 cases I decided to make enquiries in the USA.
So, does anyone have a mate who wants to sell a set of .577/450 dies and some sensibly priced cases?
Also can anyone throw any light on "Fort William Arsenal" and the "NS NEP" Inscription?
If only these old rifles could talk!
Brian
<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p089.ezboard.com/bmilsurpafterho ... brit>Brian the Brit</A> at: 5/29/05 9:06 am
</i>