Hello CGN,
Recently, I acquired a Turkish Mauser Model 1893 that has certainly "been there" and "done that". One of the interesting features that this Turkish rifle still has is a brass disc, about the size of one that you would find on a Martini Henry or a Lee Enfield. It is screwed into the right side of the butt stock with a brass screw. There is not inletting for the disc into the wood, only a light impression on the surface of the wood where the disc rests on the stock after being secured by the screw.
On both sides of the disc are Arabic numerals and letters. I originally thought these were Ottoman empire unit markings but I was perplexed as there is no written or photographic record of the Ottoman's marking their Mausers in this fashion. I did some more research online and in my current selection of books but I came up empty handed, with the exception of some references to painted on rack numbers in Arabic numerals. A current posting on gun boards has, so far, turned up no new leads or ideas as to the origin of this stock disc.
After consulting with a good friend of mine, who is more versed in British arms then I am, he suggested this disc may have, at one time, belonged to a Martini-Henry rifle that went to Egypt as the markings on the disc looked very similar to ones he had seen. Sure enough, a good search for one of these Martini examples turned up one at IMA that was "CITADEL" marked and has a brass disc on the right side of the butt stock with markings almost identical to mine. He also suggested that since the Ottoman's had been at war with the British forces in the Sinai peninsula and along the Suez canal in 1915, this disc may have come from an Egyptian issued Martini that was captured in this area of conflict and this disc may have been applied to this rifle as a "war souvenir" of sorts. The story seems to fit the facts but I wish to try to locate reference material in order to figure this disc out and, perhaps, piece together it's story along with the Mauser rifle if possible.
That brings me to my call for aid. If you happen to own a Martini Henry rifle, perhaps one marked to "CITADEL" and it has a brass disc with similar markings, would you be able to confirm if this disc is similar or not ? If so, I would be very curious to hear what these markings mean and, perhaps, where they might indicate service at one point. I have attached pictures below of the disc as it sits on the rifle and it removed, showing the markings on the opposite side along with the IMA Citadel Martini image. I appreciate any assistance that can be provided.
IMA Original image:
Recently, I acquired a Turkish Mauser Model 1893 that has certainly "been there" and "done that". One of the interesting features that this Turkish rifle still has is a brass disc, about the size of one that you would find on a Martini Henry or a Lee Enfield. It is screwed into the right side of the butt stock with a brass screw. There is not inletting for the disc into the wood, only a light impression on the surface of the wood where the disc rests on the stock after being secured by the screw.
On both sides of the disc are Arabic numerals and letters. I originally thought these were Ottoman empire unit markings but I was perplexed as there is no written or photographic record of the Ottoman's marking their Mausers in this fashion. I did some more research online and in my current selection of books but I came up empty handed, with the exception of some references to painted on rack numbers in Arabic numerals. A current posting on gun boards has, so far, turned up no new leads or ideas as to the origin of this stock disc.
After consulting with a good friend of mine, who is more versed in British arms then I am, he suggested this disc may have, at one time, belonged to a Martini-Henry rifle that went to Egypt as the markings on the disc looked very similar to ones he had seen. Sure enough, a good search for one of these Martini examples turned up one at IMA that was "CITADEL" marked and has a brass disc on the right side of the butt stock with markings almost identical to mine. He also suggested that since the Ottoman's had been at war with the British forces in the Sinai peninsula and along the Suez canal in 1915, this disc may have come from an Egyptian issued Martini that was captured in this area of conflict and this disc may have been applied to this rifle as a "war souvenir" of sorts. The story seems to fit the facts but I wish to try to locate reference material in order to figure this disc out and, perhaps, piece together it's story along with the Mauser rifle if possible.
That brings me to my call for aid. If you happen to own a Martini Henry rifle, perhaps one marked to "CITADEL" and it has a brass disc with similar markings, would you be able to confirm if this disc is similar or not ? If so, I would be very curious to hear what these markings mean and, perhaps, where they might indicate service at one point. I have attached pictures below of the disc as it sits on the rifle and it removed, showing the markings on the opposite side along with the IMA Citadel Martini image. I appreciate any assistance that can be provided.
IMA Original image:
