British, c1881, Victorian Enfield Martini-Henry .303" Underlever Carbine, Deactivated

*British, c1881, Victorian Enfield Martini-Henry .303" Underlever Carbine, Deactivated*

Serial No: RN0708244BPH
Calibre: .303"
Barrel Length: 21", 94.5cm overall

Marked on RHS receiver: Enfield, (Possibly 1881)
Marked on LHS receiver: RN0708244BPH
Marked on LHS of Barrel: Crown over VR over Crossed Flags over 2.P. (rifle barrel passed the second proofing after assembly). Crown over 38 over E over War arrow.
Marked on top of the barrel: “E”
Marked on stock: Stamped with a roundel - "Crown, II, Enfield", over II

Sold out of service marks (Two war arrows inverted) on Stock, LHS Barrel, LHS receiver.

Though most of the marks on the RHS aren’t clearly discernible – the just visible “Enfield 1881” plus the Enfield stamp on the stock with "II" suggest that this rifle started life in 1881 as an Enfield manufactured Martini-Henry Mk II, originally chambered in the obsolete .450/577 calibre. The manufacturers’ details were stamped on the right side of the action, while conversion information was engraved on the left, but only the serial number remains discernible. At some point the rifle was reconfigured into a carbine by Enfield and converted to the .303 calibre as an M.E. (Martini-Enfield). A new purpose made Enfield rifled barrel was fitted a capital “E” stamped upon the knocksform to denote that form of rifling, which is just discernible here.

The Martini-Henry was introduced in 1871, saw extensive use during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, including its famed deployment at Rourke’s Drift. From 1889, Martini-Henry rifles were converted with Metford rifled barrels (designated as Martini-Metford rifles). These barrels performed well with the early .303 cartridges using black powder propellant, but they wore out rapidly with the introduction of cordite/nitrocellulose cartridges in 1895. This issue led to the adoption of the more durable Enfield rifled barrel, suitable for “modern” smokeless ammunition, which significantly extended the rifle’s utility. The Martini-Enfield remained in service from 1895 to 1918 and continued as a Reserve Arm in regions such as India and New Zealand, even into World War II.

The Martini-Enfield exemplifies the evolution of British military firearms, adapting an older design to meet the demands of new ammunition and changing military roles.

*Condition*
The carbine is heavily rusted and pitted and the engraved information is hard to discern. The lever moves freely but it doesn't cock or dryfire. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

JAQGF_247917042025