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Item:
NB1005B

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Original British P-1885 Martini-Henry MkIV Rifle Pattern B- Cleaned and Complete Condition

Regular price $1,050.00

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Item Description

Original Item: Part of our exclusive discovery of antique firearms in the royal palace of Nepal. The great success of the P-1871 Martini Henry Short Lever Rifle had only been marred by the occasional difficulty experienced with the ejection of the spent cartridge from powder residue fouling the chamber.

The solution was the introduction of the P-1885 "long lever" model that provided great leverage for case extraction. In front line service for only three years when it was superseded by the .303 cal P-1888 magazine Rifle the P-1885 Martini saw principal use in Britain's overseas colonial empire.

Every "cleaned & complete" rifle we sell has been taking fully apart, carefully cleaned, preserved, and rebuilt replacing any worn or broken parts by our resident master antique gunsmith.

Official documentation tells us that approximately 40,000 Pattern B MkIV Martini Henry rifles were ever produced. Of all our stock of MkIV rifles we have the fewest of pattern B.

Approximate MKIV Production numbers:

Pattern A- 22,000

Pattern B- 40,000

Pattern C- 100,000

Every MKIV Martini-Henry rifle bears a date within the 1880's.

Martini Henry Pattern B was a New Rifle (not a conversion of Enfield Martini)

Unique Features

1) Ramp style front sight

2) Long knocks-form

3) One row of proof marks under barrel

Below copy is courtesy of martinihenry.org-

With the decision to make general issue of the Martini Henry MKII & MkIII to the militia and Volunteers in January 1885 and the impending new .303" caliber and the suspension and ultimate cancellation of the .402" bore Enfield Martini in June 1887, it was decided as a short term measure to convert those 65000 .402" Enfield Martinis already made into a useable .577/450" arm. The new rifle was to be designated the Martini Henry MkIV at a cost to convert those arms was expected to be 6s 6d per piece.

The success of enhanced extraction of the longer lever of the Enfield-Martini Pattern B rifle was readily adopted for all MkIV patterns, those existing Enfield-Martini A pattern walnut stocks required the brass stock cup re-siting to correspond with the long levers' tip. The process required a fresh recess hole to be drilled and the cup re-set. A purpose made wooden plug was glued into the hole completing the process. As the stocks were all removed there is no consistency as which stock was fitted to A or B pattern, so they will be found on any pattern. Wherever possible the old components were re-used, and the "E-M" designation originally marked on many of the parts betrays today its original pedigree often scored through thus: E-M. The A pattern trigger assembly, designed to accept the E-M"s safety was reamed to remove the original configuration, whilst Receivers and butt stocks of the old pattern had an extra Roman numeral "V" stamped alongside the original "I", whilst newly made but un-used components have a distinctive "IV" classification. A new pattern clearing rod, designed to spring into place and to be suitable with use of the new steel jag was installed and the nosecap was redesigned, however it was decided to retain to old pattern Barleycorn on Block foresight on the pattern "A".

Martini Henry MkIV pattern B & C

The Enfields' records throw into confusion as to what happened to the 49,902 Pattern B .402" arms manufactured, these rifles required less conversion, the obvious re-bore to .577/450 calibre, and apart from sighting alteration and re-tooling of the extractor it was a far easier task to convert. These existing Pattern B rifles after barrel conversion to the new .577/450 were designated as the Martini Henry MkIV Pattern "C", or "conversions", whilst those rifles made as new pieces, from new components which were rifled to .577/.450" were known as Martini Henry Pattern "B",

The author begs to be controversial and also doubts conventional thinking on the issue, In my collection I have a Martini Henry pattern B, with a "B" designation to the serial number, several B markings on the knocks form, and B on the receiver, I have inspected 15 other examples and found the same, all proof marks are single line, not a twin line of proofs clearly, a discrepancy, or maybe proof indeed of the original nomenclature, however to confuse matters, the official List of change No 5603, announcing the issue of the MH MkIV clearly states the knocks form of pattern A & B are 1/8th inch shorter than the pattern C, which ever, the new sealed patterns were offered for adoption and accepted on the same date 15th Sept 1887

In 1895 BSA & M Co was contracted to refurbish 5000 Martini Henry MkIV, it is to be noted these rifles carry the BSA & M Co logo, however these rifles have Enfield made barrels, and therefore are not BSA original pieces.

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: 1884-1889
Caliber: .577/450 Martini-Henry
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 inches
Overall Length: 49 Inches
Action type: Lever Action Falling Block
Feed System: Single Shot

NOTE: "Cleaned and Complete" antique guns are cleaned to order, so these are not available for expedited shipping. International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.

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AR
10/05/2024
Andrew R.
United States United States

Great rifle!

I was surprised by the quality and customer service that I received. Awesome company and would definitely buy again.

WC
06/20/2023
winlin c.
United States United States

Martini Henery review

I couldn’t have asked for more. Great job on cleaning and picking out one for me. Still smiling. Thank you. Can’t wait to do business with you again.

BM
02/15/2022
Bruce M.
United States United States

Mk IV Pattern "B" Martini-Henry

I ordered a select cleaned and complete Mk IV Pattern "B" rifle and received an excellent rifle. I requested a rifle with a bore as close to pristine as possible for shooting and that is exactly what I received. The stock and forearm were in great condition with numerous arsenal markings showing the travels the rifle has made during its service life. I am very pleased with my decision to spend the extra dollars and get a select cleaned and complete rifle. IMA honored all of my requests I made on the order from and provided me with a strong example....couldn't be happier with my purchase.

CD
01/10/2022
Carl D.
United States United States

British P-1885 Martini-Henry MkIV Rifle Pattern B- Cleaned and Complete Condition

Rifle exceeded my expectations. Bore cleaned up to a very good condition. Have shot it and it worked as it should. I will be buying again and might try my luck with an original, uncleaned rifle

TM
04/21/2021
Tyler M.
United States United States

Excellent Supplier

The turn around in the shop was super quick, and the rifle condition was better than anticipated! The barrel showed very little rust and all the wood furniture was in beautiful condition. All the parts were really clean and I found no component damage. I might buy another!

LB
12/29/2020
lonn b.
United States United States

Absolutely gorgeous

The Martini Henry was so nice I ordered a Snyder Enfield

CR
12/11/2020
Clifton R.
United States United States

Martini Henry

I’m very please with IMA’s service. I received a great rifle at a great price. I’m currently waiting for my bullet mold to arrive so I can start working up a load. I will be adding a Nepalese Snider to add to my Enfield Snider and Martini in the near future.

BB
07/13/2020
Brayton B.
United States United States

Awesome

This rifle is in amazing condition and meets all of my expectations. It’s my favorite weapon in history and also often I call it my “Dream Gun” I’m so happy IMA was able to provide such a perfect rifle to be the first historic item in my collection of memorabilia

AS
05/10/2020
Andrew S.

Nice piece. Everything there and

Nice piece. Everything there and functional.

JT
05/03/2020
Joe T.

Outstanding Rifle

This was my first purchase from IMA and I got a beautiful Martini Henry. Cleaned and complete with hand pick. Well worth the price. It’s a fine shooter to boot ! Get’s attention at the range. Very pleased with my purchase.

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