1887 Martini Henry .577/450 Rifle

1887 Martini Henry .577/450 Rifle

1887 Martini Henry .577/450 Rifle. The Mark IV Martini–Henry rifle ended production in 1889, replaced by the Lee–Metford. With the decision to make general issue of the Martini Henry MKII & MkIII to the militia and Volunteers in January 1885 and the impending new .303” calibre and the suspension and ultimate cancellation of the .402” bore Enfield Martini in June 1887, it was decided as a short term measure to convert those 65000 .402” Enfield Martinis already made into a useable .577/450” arm. The new rifle was to be designated the Martini Henry MkIV at a cost to convert those arms was expected to be 6s 6d per piece.

The 64,634 .402″ arms manufactured up to that point were then converted to Martini-Henry Mark IVs.

The converted E-M Mark Is are referred to as “A” and “B” pattern Martini-Henry Mark IVs. The “C” pattern Mark IV was made from mostly new parts, and some interchangeable parts from the Enfield-Martini .402. When converted to “A” and “B” pattern Mark IVs, the short lever was removed, the operating lever retaining cup hole was plugged with wood, and a long lever was installed. Thus, “A” and “B” pattern Mark IVs are easily identifiable by a wood plug on the underside of the buttstock (assuming the stock is original to the weapon).

Also, “A” and “B” patterns will typically have the “V” character stamped off centre, to the right of the “I” character on the Sovereign’s Cypher (as E-M Mark I’s, they bore a single “I” designating the Mark. When converted to Mark IV, the “V” was added to the existing “I”).

This is a very nice 1887 original MkIV rifle with an excellent bore. It was first proofed in London (good clear proof marks) and is marked with the WD Broad Arrow. It is also marked “N.S. NEP” – Native Service, Nepal. This mark is often seen on Martini-Henry Mark IV Infantry Rifles. Many Mark IV’s served in India and Nepal.

This is an excellent rifle in original condition. There are some lovely cartouches on the butt together with a roundell.