Original British Martini-Enfield .303 Rifle by RSAF Enfield with Bayonet – Dated 1881 converted 1895 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The Martini-Enfield Mk I was effectively a Martini-Henry Mk III rebarrelled to .303 and with a new extractor installed, whilst the Martini-Enfield Mk II rifles were generally of new manufacture- although there are examples of converted Mk II rifles.

Originally (from 1889) Martini-Henry conversions used Metford rifled barrels (and were known as Martini-Metford rifles), which were more than suitable for the first .303 cartridges, which used black powder as a propellant. However, they wore out very quickly when fired with cordite/nitrocellulose cartridges (introduced in 1895) and so in 1895 the Enfield rifled barrel was introduced. This design was much more satisfactory and suitable for use with “modern” (smokeless) ammunition.

The Martini-Enfield was in service from 1895-1918 (Lawrence of Arabia’s Arab Irregulars were known to have used them during the Arab Revolt of 1916-1918, along with any other firearms they could acquire), and it remained a Reserve Arm in places like India and New Zealand until well into World War II.

Martini-Enfield rifles were manufactured/converted by:

– R.S.A.F. (Royal Small Arms Factory), Enfield Lock (marked ENFIELD)
– L.S.A. Co (London Small Arms Co)
– B.S.A. & M Co (Birmingham Small Arms & Metals Co, later simply BSA)
– H.R.B. Co. (Henry Rifle Barrel Co, later went out of business and taken over by Blenheim Engineering)
– N.A.&A. Co (National Arms & Ammunition Co)

The original manufacturer information, would be stamped onto the right side of the action, while the left side would have information regarding the conversion. This example is marked on the right action with original maker information:

(Crown)
V.R.
ENFIELD
1881
(Lock Viewer Mark)
III.
1.

The left side is marked with the conversion information:

(Crown)
V.R.
ENFIELD
1895
(Lock Viewer Mark)
M.E. ‘303.
I

This started life in England as a .577/.450 Martini MARK III Rifle in 1881, made by the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield, just in time for the Egyptian campaign and the Battle of Tel-el-Kabir in 1884. In 1895, again in England, it was reconfigured by Enfield into a to .303 Martini-Enfield Mark I. It very possibly served in home guard service during WWI.

In very good condition the exterior of the barrel shows some deep scattered pits behind the rear sight but otherwise in a splendid display condition. Rifle comes complete with an original LONG Martini P-1876 Socket Bayonet officially converted to fit the new .303 caliber barrel. A very hard setup to find today with both sets of markings intact and a converted P-1876/P-1895 long Socket Bayonet.

A wonderful piece of British and Firearms history! Ready do display.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1881 – converted 1895
Caliber:  .303 British
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 30 Inches
Overall Length: 46 Inches
Action type: Falling-Block
Feed System: Single Shot