Item Description
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
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
- IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to posses, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in live condition. They are sold as collector’s items or as wall hangers. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
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