Henry Martini smooth bore - what is the value

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niacbob

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Hello
This Henry Martini was purchased by my father in the early'70's at a black powder shoot. I want to purchase a .222 or .223 or target 22. Need to sell this firearm to make room. This is my first post so any suggestions will be welcomed.

It is a smooth bore.
The right side of the receiver is marked VR Enfield 1888 IV 1. With KA 3763 in the lower right corner which is also marked on the barrel.
Can someone help me out in putting a value on it?
More or different photo's required?

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Tks
Bob
 
It looks to be a stock Martini Henry Mark 4 rifle. The smoothboring usually meant that Great Britain was issuing the rifle to one of the colonies and, always wanting to have the upper hand, they smoothbored these to make them inferior to their issue arms. If it was not smoothbored it would be worth in the $350.00 to $450.00 range but smoothbored would adversely affect the value so $200.00 to $300.00 would be close to its value.
 
I've never seen a smooth bore, but they are a lot less desireable then normal Martini Henry rifles.

I've been watching the prices drop on these rifles now for a while and I'm thinking the one I do have needs some friends :D

that one looks like its been sitting somewhere for a long time without being oiled.
 
The only time I've seen a serial number stamped on the barrel and receiver like that is on civilian commercial rifles, maybe this one was made a smooth bore after leaving military service. Does it have any >< marks on it?
Is it chambered for a necked round? (which it should be, for the original 577/450 cartridge).
If not, maybe someone made a shotgun out of it.
 
Looks like a nice gun. I'd be loathe to see it go for 200. Over all it is in very nice shape.
Too bad you could'nt get it lined to shoot a bullet at deer killing velocities. Or figure out how to make it spit shot if that is what it was converted to do.
 
I measured the bore at the muzzle and it is .480 in.
There are numerous markings on the barrel and some on the stock. There is an 88 (or 89) stamped on the stock under the barrel. On the left side of the barrel is series of numbers (91480 but one of these may be overstamped?). Numerous Crowns, crossed flags, letters (VR, IP, WD,E, EM, E29, R) some of which I would guess are parts numbers. I don't have the tools to measure the breech so I will get it to a gunsmith and have him take a look. A friend who is a military historian suggested the gun was manufactured as a shotgun and issued as a police or prison guard gun, perhaps for India, only an opinion as he is not a firearms specialist and was based on what he could find on the internet. Couldn't see any marks like < > although there are several markings that look like arrows, with WD under them.
Anything else I can do to help form an opion on the gun?
tks
Bob
 
They were smooth bored in India for police. Ammo was called "Cartridge SA .476" based on 577/450 case loaded with ball or buck shot. Used c1880 to 1940s.
 
I've seen carbine version used by Egypt police and others back in the 20's, now sell for 125-150 bucks. Your version probably double 250-300 dollars. Unless there is something historically special about it.
 
The old war horse is screaming --SOMEONE PLEASE FOR CHRIST SAKES MAINTAIN ME--

Clean the old dame up then figure out the -under the filth- condition.

If shes sound:)....- effective shot and roundball black powder cartridges could be built with a pittance of worry.


The British martini henry rifle is as fine a weapon as could be imagined by the mind of man,
be a shame to get 150-200 bucks for something that could be a excellent and somewhat unique historical firearm.

Spite the fates and restore it!



"then keep and maintain it";)
 
FWIW, your rifle started out as a purpose built MkIV "C" Pattern and is not originally converted from a Martini-Enfield .402". Of the MkIV's, the "C" like yours is the rarest pattern.

Unfortunately, the smoothbore detracts from its value a bit for many potential buyers as many of us like shooting them as rifles.

The $200-400 estimate is too low IMHO. You can get one in probably a bit rougher condition with a cracked stock ,parts pissing and rust issues and the markings worn off from IMA for as little as $400 US plus tax duty and shipping. Most of those will not clean up as nice as yours is, but they aren't smoothbores.

In Canada, I'd say yours is more likely worth about $500. The parts alone are worth that, the most important bits being the cleaning rod, stock set, firing pin, cocking indicator and the internal springs.

The stock looks dark, but it's just oil soaked. Properly done, it would clean up rather well.

On the other extreme of things, I just picked up a 90%+ condition MkIII short lever and was happy to get it for $1000. I've seen some of the rare Martini Henry variants in nice shape go for well over $2000 in the last 24 months, so the IMA relic prices are hardly the measure of market value ;)

If it were mine, I'd keep it. The don't require registration and are therefore very easy to keep.
 
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