Martini Henry
Artillery Carbine MKII
RIC Issue

Converted from an 1872 MkI/II Rifle
Calibre 577/450

Price: £1,200
(Commission Sale)

*** SOLD ***

Very Good Condition

With the fall introduction of the Martini Henry rifle in 1886, the next problem was the replacement of the Artillery Carbine

In 1891 a simple solution was found, it involved the conversion of many of the existing MkII and MkIII rifles that had been placed into the second class in the stores at Weedon into a serviceable carbine.

The Conversion from Rifle to Carbine

The barrel length was cut down . The barleycorn sight was then brazed into place .667” from the muzzle allowing for the muzzle ring of the Pattern 58 converted sword bayonet.

The rifle ladder sight was removed, and the subsequent screw hole plugged with a screw and the head filed level. The new sighting arrangement was that similar to the IC1 carbine, with a graduated 1-300 yards sight bed.

The MkII fore end wood was reduced in size, with the middle band shoulders set back an extra 2.5”. The bands were adapted to allow for the increase in subsequent barrel diameter, likewise the nosecap had a corresponding increase in diameter. Most of the existing components were those of the MkII rifle that the carbine was derided.

New component parts were installed including the pattern 1885 Strenghtened extractor, with “S.X” being stamped upon the receiver bridge, a new rod, in essence a stubby version of the MkII rod, was installed.

To correspond with the new style of unit markings, a 1” diameter brass stock disc was sunk into the stock.

RIC Royal Irish Constabulary Conection

The Martini Henry was introduced to the RIC around June 1899, with the final batch being issued to the Belfast police in June 1900. It replaced the Snider carbine, of which 12,000 were recalled. As part of the cost saving practices for which the Irish authorities were renowned, the bayonets previously used with the Snider rifles were also recalled, shipped to England to be rebushed, then finally re-fitted to the Martinis and re-numbered at the Constabulary Armoury.

11,000 MH Carbines were supplied to the RIC

Later life

Most finally eneded up as drill arm in the hands of cadets and the Boys Brigade.

To render the gun incapable of firing, they were frequently “de-activtated”, and condemned, with the rather blunt “NOT FOR BALL” being stamped into the action. To render the arm safe, a saw cut was made halfway across the barrel, just in front of the knocks form and the firing pin point was ground flat, to prevent a new pin being fitted, a 1” round wire nail was hammered into the pin hole of the block from the rear and then filed flat.

The letters D.P (Drill Purpose) was stamped into the stock.

To complete the markings the Condemned stamp was marked onto the Stock, barrel and fore end.

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This example was originally a 1872 Martini Henry Mk I Rifle lated converted to MkII.

Butt Stock Marked RIC

The barrel on this example is from a MH Cavalry Carbine, which has a slightly different Knox Form & for-end attachment

MH Cavalry Carbine has a hook arrangement
MH MkII Artillery Carbine has a cross pin arrangement

The Fore-end has been modified for the different knox form and the barrel has had the lug brazed on to fasciliate the cross pin

These modifications apperar historic and look to be armoury conversions using spare Cavalry Carbine Barrels

The barrel bands have been refinished and look a bit to new, this is only a cosmetic obeservation

The cleaning rod is incorrect and is from a Cavary Carbine, these would have been shortened rifle cleaning ronds which have a different profile

The Bore is Very Good as well