Martini-Metford

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Looked at Martini-Metford artillery carbine and on top
of the receiver ring it is stamped "NOT FOR BALL".
What exactly does that mean?
 
I could be mistaken but as I recall that means the bore is bad and the rifle is not to be fired with live ammo. Something like that anyway. However this is off of the top of my head and I stand to be corrected.
 
Actualy

It's a Drill purpose rifle. That was done to a lot of obsolete firearms.
What you have to watch out for is any de-acting of the weapon.
This often consisted of a saw cut over the chamber, AND that could be on the UNDERSIDE of the barrel!!!!!!!
 
From .martinihenry.com/othermarkings.htm

"Not For Ball" - This marking was applied to weapons sent to cadet forces to indicate that only blank cartridges were to be fired from them. This marking doesn't necessarily mean the weapon had a problem firing real cartridges, but rather, it probably served more as a warning to cadets to not chamber live ammunition.

Remember, a Martini- Metford is designed for the 303 blackpowder load.
 
John Sukey said:
It's a Drill purpose rifle. That was done to a lot of obsolete firearms.
What you have to watch out for is any de-acting of the weapon.
This often consisted of a saw cut over the chamber, AND that could be on the UNDERSIDE of the barrel!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Drill purpose rifles are marked DP. Once again from martini-henry.com:

"Drill Purposes" - This mark is typically seen on cadet weapons used for drill practice, or parades and such. Such weapons were almost always inactivated by cutting slots into the barrel or via other hideous means. This marking is also sometimes seen stamped into the forend wood, just in front of the action body.

A friend of mine has a Martini-Enfield artillery carbine marked DP and after close inspection found there was nothing wrong with it. It shoots just fine. I think a lot of bureaocracy was involved in some of these markings. IF a cadet is issued a drill purpopse rifle he WILL use it for DRILL PURPOSE. :)
 
By the same token, just because it doesn't say DP, DOES NOT mean it has not been buggered at a later date. to "make it safe" fror the kiddies.
A careful inspection with the forend off is a good idea before taking it to the range.

I do stand by my original post, mainly because cadets used them primarily for square bashing.
.303 Martinis never saw lead bullets in their service life. They were always jacketed.
 
Cya

X2 on BDFT's post.

It was marked as a CYA by an armourer (cover yer arse) so that live rounds would not be used by Cadets. Rifles were more than a drill rifle, as somebody mentioned, they could be used for blank for a 'Feu de Juoi'. Some rifles so marked wear a yellow band of paint to signify blank fire only.
 
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