Martini-Henry .577/450 Mark II artillery carbine, early 1890...

Estimate

£600 - £800

Martini-Henry .577/450 Mark II artillery carbine, early 1890s, with 21 in. barrel fitted with ramp and ladder rear sight, filled cut at the breech, full stocked with regulation steel mounts and cleaning rod, the action stamped with a crown over V.R. over B.S.A. & M Co. over 1876 being the details of the Mark I donor rifle, Enfield roundel on butt, ‘S-X’ [Strengthened Receiver] and condemned barrel mark on receiver. Fully working action. All major parts with Broad Arrow, ‘WD’ and inspection marks, plus ‘sold out of service’ mark on butt, barrel and action. Butt with brass marker disc stamped 'R.I.C.’ [Royal Irish Constabulary]. This carbine started out as a Mark I Third (or Approved) Pattern Rifle with a 13 in. ‘short’ butt (butts at that time being produced in 13 in ‘short’ or 14 in ‘long’ versions before changing to 14 in. and 14 ½ in.). It was then converted to Mark II Rifle standards, becoming a Mark I/II Rifle, at which time an additional 1 ½ in. was added to the butt’s length to comply with the new regulations. It was then again converted at Enfield 1891-93 to become a Mk II Artillery Carbine. Obsolete calibre; no licence required.