Please help identify Enfield 1883

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Rannok445

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I inherited this rifle from my grandfather when he passed. Unfortunately we never chatted about it prior to his passing so I have no details about it.

I'd love to know more about it's history but am a bit lost when it comes to the markings.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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It appears you have a Martini Henry Mark III. The calibre should be .577-450 and the wood looks to be in excellebt condition. Reloading components and instructions are readily available.
 
It looks very nice, and it has gone through some sort of repair process.

There is a stock repair on the fore end, barrel channel, and it's been re blued, rather than painted with suncorite.

You should take it apart and do something to stop that active rust.

It may also have been converted or even purpose built to a different cartridge than the 577-450. I doubt it though, if the stock is original to the rifle, and the stamps, cartouches are also original.
 
It's in really nice shape...keep it oiled. The pitting looks to be neutralized, but you can't be too careful.
 
The stock looks like it has been cleaned too. Pity. There's no way to replace a century plus of oxidized linseed oil. That said, no one living today has seen the original wood grain on a vintage Martini.

I would offer that a thoroughly cleaned MH is worth less than nearly original example. Yours now qualifies as a shooter vs as a collectable.
 
Go to Gemini. Post those images and ask your question. I think they will provide you with all the information you are looking for.
 
maple_leaf_eh said:
The stock looks like it has been cleaned too. Pity. There's no way to replace a century plus of oxidized linseed oil. That said, no one living today has seen the original wood grain on a vintage Martini.

I would offer that a thoroughly cleaned MH is worth less than nearly original example. Yours now qualifies as a shooter vs as a collectable.
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You mean like this mint condition one in a museum collection?



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You are toying with me! Original meant fresh from the factory, not cleaned or rejuvenated. Yes, that is nice grain, but that 130 years of oxidization turned brown wood to nearly black. You'll never get that colour back.

I believe museums should clean and preserve artifacts not change them. A gentle wash with archival materials would have lifted surface oils and grime, without changing the base finish.
 
maple_leaf_eh said:
You are toying with me! Original meant fresh from the factory, not cleaned or rejuvenated. Yes, that is nice grain, but that 130 years of oxidization turned brown wood to nearly black. You'll never get that colour back.

I believe museums should clean and preserve artifacts not change them. A gentle wash with archival materials would have lifted surface oils and grime, without changing the base finish.
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Much of that dark blackish finish you associate with Martini Henry rifles is on rifles where rangoon oil was heavily used. Mk IVs that saw use within the Raj and/or Nepal are almost always found this way. The wood finish applied at RSAF Enfield and other manufacturers does not usually oxidize to that shade. I am fortunate to own a Canadian issued Mk III Martini which has not been darkened to any appreciable degree.
 
BlackPowderBurner said:
Much of that dark blackish finish you associate with Martini Henry rifles is on rifles where rangoon oil was heavily used. Mk IVs that saw use within the Raj and/or Nepal are almost always found this way. The wood finish applied at RSAF Enfield and other manufacturers does not usually oxidize to that shade. I am fortunate to own a Canadian issued Mk III Martini which has not been darkened to any appreciable degree.
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My 100+ year old SMLE's nor my 70 year old No4Mk2.
Darker than blonde, sure, but I can still see grain.
 
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