Been thinking Martini Henry lately...

Dark Alley Dan

Dark Alley Dan

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In my maturity, I've developed an interest in single shot rifles. It might be time to consider adding a M-H to the herd. Likely going to rebarrel it in a midrange caliber - 38-55 seems a favourite lately, or 32-40 - so not thinking a pristine piece with Zulu War provenance or anything.

Any ideas? Leads? Issues I should watch for? I'm conscious of the Nepali Hoard that IMA has. Anything there I should be aware of? Risks? Smiths familar with the breed?

Thanks in advice for the benefit of your wisdom.

Dan
 
it will cost you several hundred dollars to rebarrel, less if you can do the work yourself, but still a moderate amount. Why not try the gun while still in 577 450. You could try paper patching .458 slugs to .470 or a bit under. If you can find someone to form the shells for you, the shells don't need to be resized after shooting, if you are shooting at a range.
In the smaller calibers, I would go with 38-56 which is based on a 45-70 shell. More oomph than the 38-55 and may be easier to feed into the chamber than a straight case

cheers mooncoon
 
I have seen a few done in various calibers. I almost bought one in 38-55 but waited too long and someone else bought it. I have four Martin’s and don’t have any plans to sell them. 450-577, 45-70, 303 and 32-20. Something about them I just like. One day hopefully I’ll find a 38-55 or 40-50 sharps straight.
 
I have a London Small Arms co that was converted to 303 in 1899. That’s the route I’d go if I wanted something smaller and didn’t want to mess loading the big martini cartridge. I beleive they’re called martini enfields, I was going to rebarrel mine but the barrel was in decent shape already.

Strange gun, no ram rod grove and a shield coat of arms in the toe of the stock. There was a trade version of the gun sold in that configuration, who knows.

It’s not just rebarreling, they changed to the smaller firing pin, extractor and inset a hardened steel breech face, and the block opening depth. If you can find one that’s shot out (and they often are) it’s a lot easier to start with those.
 
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Neat guns, got a M-E and a Greener Mk 3. The 303 is an ugly Lil thing...works well though. The Greener has been on the gun stand for about 2 weeks now waiting on parts for assembly.
Very cool weapons IMO. The 303 will eject then at perfect speed and height... drop the loading Lever, and reach up and pluck the empty out of the air in front of you. Total parlor trick. But the mechanism is great, the wood is original and punky.
I've thought about 38-55 as well, could probably cut the new bbl to use the 303 extractor. The cartridge is a marvelous, albeit gentle medium bore.
 
I've thought about getting one as well, to match my BSA 12/15 in 22LR. One interesting alternative is the DAMKO "Modern Martini" which should be importable into Canada. I'd like one with peep sights in 30-30, please.
 
Dark Alley Dan said:
Any ideas? Leads? Issues I should watch for? I'm conscious of the Nepali Hoard that IMA has. Anything there I should be aware of? Risks? Smiths familar with the breed?


Dan
Click to expand...

Dan, the part of the Nepalese cache that IMA sold was brought in almost 20 years ago now. They do not have any more for sale left, pretty sure they finally moved the last of them off in the mid-late 2010's. They were stored much better than a lot of the 3rd world surplus (ie: the current Ethiopian guns pulled out of a goat shed) but perhaps not as well as old Soviet warehouses either. Lots of them cleaned up well and are perfectly serviceable if needed.

I would also take a serious look at the DAMKO if your immediate plans involve rebarreling anyways, but you may get a better deal on a "well-used" original or a commercial gun that's already been worked over of course.
 
I've been thinking M-H lately my self. Drilling at work yesterday, I threw the breechblock of the latest one in the stable into one coverall pocket and a short piece of survey lathe and a strip of wet / dry Emory in the pocket. Got a parts Greener Mk 3 get working. Even die makers files seem too aggressive for that kind of thing. Gentle fine emery board for cleaning the bottom and sides of it...I'll leave the patina on the blued surfaces.
I was more than a little surprised at the lack finishing on the machined surfaces. Very dismally finishing. Maybe the fact that it was made after the Battle rifle era effected the finish on a Mk3?
Got a striker and spring out of IMA enroute now
 
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