Fuzzy eyes (it's Sunday) looking at fuzzy pics I can tell that the Martini is an 1888 Artillery carbine in 303 Brit. It will mount a bayonet.
Not a general issue item in Canada, but some might have been amongst the arms that came into Canada's charge when the Brits withdrew and handed off their garrisons at Esquimalt and Halifax in 1906.
It could be a real collectible if it has unit markings. Need to see detailed pics showing any and all stamped markings.
However............. I just noticed the NZ mark on the breech denoting that this was once in New Zealand service, not Canadian.
And ya, that DP mark means that it was relegated to Drill Purposes and was not used for shooting live ammo. Drill not just marching and square bashing on ther parade ground, but practice loading, dry firing drills etc.
Doesn't mean that it can't be shot, but it certainly does means that it was not considered a shooter once it was marked D.P. As I understand it, live arms received regular checkups and were measured with guages to ensure that they met measurable standards of wear, parts were replaced to keep them in tip top condition. D.P rifles were not part of this program and received zero attention other than cleaning at the unit level. So ya just never know...
The R marking on the barrel nocks form flat denotes rust found in the chamber. Could be why it was relegated.
Not a general issue item in Canada, but some might have been amongst the arms that came into Canada's charge when the Brits withdrew and handed off their garrisons at Esquimalt and Halifax in 1906.
It could be a real collectible if it has unit markings. Need to see detailed pics showing any and all stamped markings.
However............. I just noticed the NZ mark on the breech denoting that this was once in New Zealand service, not Canadian.
And ya, that DP mark means that it was relegated to Drill Purposes and was not used for shooting live ammo. Drill not just marching and square bashing on ther parade ground, but practice loading, dry firing drills etc.
Doesn't mean that it can't be shot, but it certainly does means that it was not considered a shooter once it was marked D.P. As I understand it, live arms received regular checkups and were measured with guages to ensure that they met measurable standards of wear, parts were replaced to keep them in tip top condition. D.P rifles were not part of this program and received zero attention other than cleaning at the unit level. So ya just never know...
The R marking on the barrel nocks form flat denotes rust found in the chamber. Could be why it was relegated.
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