Original Item: Only One Available. The Martini–Henry is a breech-loading single-shot rifle with a lever action that was used by the British Army. It first entered service in 1871, eventually replacing the Snider–Enfield, a muzzle-loader converted to the cartridge system. Martini–Henry variants were used throughout the British Empire for 47 years. It combined the dropping-block action first developed by Henry O. Peabody (in his Peabody rifle) and improved by the Swiss designer Friedrich von Martini, combined with the polygonal rifling designed by Scotsman Alexander Henry.

The design of the receiver was very robust, and it continued to be used commercially long after the Martini-Henry itself was obsoleted with the introduction of smokeless powder. Some firearms designers even made improvements on the design, and one of these was Auguste Francotte & Co. of Liège, a very well-known and prolific firearms manufacturer, who made many guns under contract to countries all over the world. Founded in 1810, the company was still in operation until the WWII era.

In 1878, Francotte introduced an improvement to the original Martini action, which utilized an internal frame for the various components. This allowed the entire action to drop out with the removal of a single screw, and also allowed the introduction of advances such as a safety. This did result in loss of the cocking indicator in some instances, but methods were devised to work this into the bottom or top of the action.

This lovely Big Game Tiger Rifle here is one of those examples, and looks to have been produced by Francotte itself. We have checked the chamber with a dummy round, and the rifle is chambered for .577/450 Martini-Henry rounds, and the rifling inside the barrel is definitely Henry style polygonal rifling. The upper rear of the frame is marked on the left side with the correct CROWN / AF marking, which is over what we believe to be the serial number of the rifle, 22381. There is also the number 6063 on the left side of the receiver, and 1345 on the underside of the barrel by the front sling loop, though we do not think these are serial numbers. The barrel has a matte top strap for its entire length, and there are no maker or address markings anywhere we can see. The Martini Action was most likely still under patent, so they did not want to make it easy to trace the weapon.

We removed the fore stock to look for markings, and the barrel is marked on the bottom with a "Perron" or Tower of Liège proof over E / L G / * in a "Crowned" oval, indicating manufacture and inspection in Liège, Belgium after 1891. This proof had been introduced for exported arms to comply with new proof laws in Germany. There are also various single letter proofs, as well as the "Perron" or Tower of Liège proof. Above this are CROWN / R and ★ / M proofs, along with other markings we do not recognize. There is assembly number 79, also seen on the inside of the fore stock and the front of the receiver fore stock inlet. The numerical markings 11.2 and 11.3 are almost certainly the bore size in millimeters, which would be .441in. and .445in., respectively.

The rifle is outfitted much like other big game rifles of the late Victorian era, with a short checkered fore stock terminating in a horn nose cap and "pistol grip" style butt stock. There are small loops for a strap or sling on the underside of the butt stock and barrel. The top strap of the barrel has a 100 yard notch side, with flip up sights for 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards, with a ladder sight adjustable from 500 to 1000 yards in front of that. This definitely was a high end rifle that gave the user a multitude of options for sighting game.

The condition is very good, showing a good amount of the original bluing on the metalwork, with many areas faded to a plum patina. There is no major wear or oxidation we can see. The action looks to be fully functional, opening with the ejector presenting, and closing easily. There is a cocking indicator that sticks out of the top of the breech block, and there is also a safety on the right rear of the receiver, which seems to disconnect the trigger from the action. We checked the bore, and it is in really great shape, showing a bright finish with strong polygonal rifling. It does not look to have seen much use at all.

The stocks are in very good condition, showing a great dark red brown color, most likely made from some variety of walnut. The checkering on the fore stock is a bit worn, and there is some denting, particularly on the bottom of the fore stock, where there are some gouges, probably from resting the rifle on something while firing it. The butt stock is definitely in a bit better shape, and the color is just lovely.

A lovely Francotte-Martini Tiger rifle from the late Victorian area, ready to research and display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1880
Caliber: .577/.450 Martini-Henry
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 28 5/8 inches
Overall Length: 44 7/8 inches
Action: Falling Block Lever Action
Feed System: Single Shot

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