Picked up a Martini Henry - enlighten me

Killer Kanuck

Killer Kanuck

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I really know nothing about them, other than I wanted one and it was a decent price so I grabbed it. :D
So what can you guys tell me about it?
Here are the receiver markings:
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Markings on the wood
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Bore is in very good shape - didn't quite translate into the pics:
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And the full rifle
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And who has the best price on dies & brass for 577-450? I was given 4 loaded rounds (formed 24g brass) but they won't last long. ;)


Also picked up this little fella in Irishtown too
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Winchester 1901 10 gauge. :D
 
I like that 1901 10Ga shotgun :) They are very neat guns.

Good scores on both guns, I have a Antique Martini but dont know much about yours with all them Markings.
There great guns tho!
 
I had about 50 rounds a couple of years ago of .577 and thought about getting a rifle to go with them. I ended up selling them for $5.00 a pop. Later I saw them on ebay when you could sell such things going for $11.00 each.
 
1. your martrini is going to be EXPENSIVE TO SHOOT
2. Brass ain't cheap
3. dies ain't cheap
4. It's NOT 45 calibre but around .465-468
RCBS makes the proper bullet mould
Pn 055015
468-480-M

for detailed instructions on takedown and reassembly, go to www.martinihenry.com
Failure to do so when trying to reassemble the rifle will put you in the funney farm or at least make you tear your hair out.
CAUTION! the tiny screw retaining the cocking indicator (left side) MUST be properly positioned both in taking down AND reassembling the action. Failure to do so will result in snapping OFF the head and the bloody things are UNOBTANIUM

www.ima-usa.com has the combination tool, bayonet, cleaning rod extension, and the brass muzzle covers.

Once you have had it apart, and reassembled, it willl no longer be necessary to remove anything other than the breechblock for cleaning as that is all soldiers were allowed to do.
 
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Check out this new article on Surplus Rifle. He talks all about reloading for the Martini Henry and he shows you how to form your own brass using 24 gauge brass.

w w w.surplusrifle.com/articles2008/loadingforthemartinihenry/index.asp

It is a really good read even if you are don't have one of these guns.

Logan
 
Hello!
I myself became a owner of one of there jems as of friday last.
Mine needs to be stripped and cleaned and maybe some repairs to the 125 year old wood, but like yours- it is in Sublime state.

I dont really think its going to be that expensive to shoot onece you invest some cash in a pile of shells. Then just reload your own shells/cast your own lead...Voilla!!!

Primers are what ---5$$ for 100..

You can recycle old lead for the bullets/ or melt down old sinkers - "free except in casting time"

A lb of Goex is around 20$$ depending on where you buy it.

I bought 2 lbs of ffg at the event I was at the weekend that just passed..

I am almost ready to blaze the ZULU SLAYER!!

Cheers

Rob
 
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Killer Kanuck said:
Thanks for the info guys.

Can anyone tell me what the buttstock markings stand for?
Click to expand...


Those markings are Tres' Importante'!!!

They're so you don't get confused and grab some other guys butt by mistake.

Butts used to be unmarked, and many a wild west killing resulted, though some say the army boys have never been as close since the new regs.
 
I have three M/H's, a Mk.1 and two Canadian marked Mk.3's. I shoot them all. Dies are available from Lee at $100.00. Brass can be formed from 24 guage brass which is about $16.00 in the US. Black powder, I would suggest "FG" powder,it is available in Canada but I find paying $30.00 a pound is over the top. I go to the US to buy it at $12.95 per pound. Fully legal to bring back at both sides of customs.....allowed 8Kg's per visit in 1 lb. containers. Brass is also becoming more available as time goes on....both drawn and turned brass. British Militaria forums is the place to go for advise. Their reloading section has archived material which would be invaluable to you. Good luck.
 
Do you need the proper case forming die to form the 24g shells, or has anyone had any luck using just the resizing die, sizing wax, and a lot of patience?
 
I do believe with a lot of the proper lube and with holding your mouth just the right way you can do it in one step...but...there are case sizing dies out there for the purpose. Even if you buy one of the many available formed brass it is no longer as expensive as when I paid $6.50 each for Kynoch. You only need twenty and then take good care of them. Both turned and drawn is out there. Visit "BritishMilitaria" web site......please. Dave
 
Martini-Henery brass can be had from the following:

K. Jenkinson & Co. Gunmakers
10 Cameron Ave
Grand Forks, BC
V0H 1H4
Ph: (250) 442-5718
fax: (250) 442-8058

Another source of M-H parts & supplies can be found at www.NoFAC.com and they are based out of Red Deer, AB

Hope this helps
 
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