Original British Martini-Henry Mk1 3rd Pattern Rifle – Enfield 1876 Original Items

Original Item: Only one Available. The Martini Henry Mk1 3rd (approved) pattern was the standard issue firearm between 1874-1880.

Before final approval and general issue, several features of the MK1 2nd pattern rifle were altered: The sling swivel on the stock was abolished March 1875. It was however retained by Rifle Regiments. The Mk1 breech- block was previously held in place by a bronze axis pin that frequently fell out, the new modal had a new split sprung cotter pin fitted in its place. The recess left by the adjacent locking screw had a small crescent shaped panel installed and this was filled and blued to match the action. The new rifle was now ready for general issue to the troops, on July 7th 1874 the service pattern was sealed.

On 26th February 1876, LOC 2955 the clearing rod was adapted, with the edges rounded to prevent bore damage when cleaning, the clearing rods’ bulbous end was chamfered as it caused arms that were piled by troops to tangle, also the diameter of the rod tip was reduced to between .446”/.448”, to allow it to be used as a rammer ejecting a stuck cartridge

The Mk1 rifle began to attract negative comment, In particular the alarmingly large number of accidental discharges when the breech-block was closed and high degree of hair triggers. The fault was found to lie with the trigger nose as it rested on the action, if foreign objects got under this rest the result was the trigger sear would accidentally skip over the tumbler rest, resulting in a misfire. As a result in 1876 the new pattern rifle the MkII was approved and most Mk1 arms were converted.

Features of the Mk1 3rd Approved Martini Henry Rifle:

1) Butt plate checkered pattern.

2) Shallow V notch sight ladder.

3) Polished breechblock marked S.B. Single gas hole in base.

4) Buttstock Sling Swivel: abolished March 1875 (Retained for Rifle Brigade)

5) Serial numbers to Barrel, Receiver, Sight ladder, Breech block, Extraction lever and trigger assembly (serial numbers ran AA 1000, AB on so on).

6) Bulb end clearing rod with raised cam, diameter reduced to .448”

7) Spring steel split axis pin.

8) Two-part tumbler incorporating trigger sear and tumbler arm

9) Cutaway to extractor claw arm.

10) Countersunk muzzle.

This example still retains:

1. MkI checkered butt plate

2. Receiver with Roman number I (it was never re-stamped as were the MkII conversions).

3. Rare MkI “tulip head” bulb end cleaning rod.

4. Polished breechblock marked SB