The Zulu War rifle: Martini-Henry

Texas Star · Dec 19, 2019

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akK17OTwK6w[/ame]

One of my favorite gun video makers is a Norwegian named Katharina Viker.

Here, she shoots a Martini-Henry .450-500, like you probably saw used in the movie, Zulu!, from 1964. It was also used against other enemies of the UK before being replaced by the Magazine Lee-Metford, from 1888. I think it was better than the US Springfield .45-70.

Katherina shoots deer and some South African game with a .308, but manages the Martini (and a .458) pretty well.

Could she have shot a Zulu or a member of the Mahdi's minions? Look at the water jug!

Perhaps the best military rifle of its day, the Martini...I'm glad to see this one still shooting.

6string · Dec 19, 2019

The Martini is still a great design. It has lent itself well to numerous target rifle and pistol designs as well.
Howver, it was purpose built as a single shot, beechloading, cartridge firing rifle. The Springfield "trapdoor" was a conversion of a muzzleloading rifle.

But, a more contemporaneous comparison to the Springfield "trapdoor" 45-70 would perhaps be the Snider Enfield, most commonly chambered for the same 577-450 cartridge as this slightly later Martini.

Here's a cool video of the Scottish Guard doing rifle drills with the Snider.

YouTube

It was filmed at the Citadel in Halifax, Nova Scotia. You can still see these same drills everyday, as well as the impressive "Noon gun".

Jim

Ivan the Butcher · Dec 19, 2019

I have a 1903 "Citadel" (Egypt) Martini in 303. In about 1985 or 86 I paid $159 for it, triangle bayonet, leather scabbard and frog. Also has Medford rifling (for Jacketed bullets using Black Powder')

About 10 years ago August I tried to buy one of the Martini carbines from the big Nepal find. It was in 577 Snider (not 577-450). They didn't want to sell it very bad, my final offer was $350 CASH out the door, Their final offer was $339+tax (7.5%)(that about >$15 difference) They wanted to keep it more than I wanted to buy it! I was concerned about brass cost also! Being a low pressure BP round I figured I could get by without loading dies, but the empty brass were over $12 each! (I had sold all my 577 Nitro Express brass 2 or 3 years before at $8 each!)

Ivan

Rubone · Dec 19, 2019

I have this Peabody & Martini that belonged to a friends family from new. Interesting rifle.

JohnRippert · Dec 19, 2019

I have one of the MKIV's from the Nepalese cache. Cleaned it up myself. Found a place online that I can get ammo for it. Bought 60 rounds at the time. Need to get another 40 rounds or so to have a decent stash. Whenever Photobucket wakes back up I will post a pic.

Would love to have one in .303 British

THE PILGRIM · Dec 19, 2019

Only Martini I ever owned was the Small Action Custom in 218 Bee,
Short heavy Barrel, Pretty Wood, Brass Ball on the operating handle.
Yes! On my short list of guns I’m sorry that I sold.

Kiwi cop · Dec 19, 2019

JohnRippert said:
I have one of the MKIV's from the Nepalese cache. Cleaned it up myself. Found a place online that I can get ammo for it. Bought 60 rounds at the time. Need to get another 40 rounds or so to have a decent stash. Whenever Photobucket wakes back up I will post a pic.

Would love to have one in .303 British

Here’s my 1895 Martini-Enfield carbine in .303 British (centre).

old tanker · Dec 19, 2019

6string said:
...the Scottish Guard doing rifle drills with the Snider...at the Citadel in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Canadians were early users of the Snider, and for good reason!

The Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish Republican organization based in the United States, and included many veterans of the US Civil War. They launched a series of raids on British army forts, customs posts and other targets in Canada, in 1866, and again from 1870 to 1871.

The unrealized aim of the quixotic raids was to conquer Canada and exchange it with Great Britain for Irish independence.

pistolpal · Dec 19, 2019

Had the little carbine. Guy wanted it so I sold it to him but asked what he would do with it. He said rechamber it to .357 pistol. Unfortunately did not get to talk with him to see how it came out, but intriguing idea. It was a nice little piece and I don't even recall where I got it.

Gene L · Dec 20, 2019

Had a M/H when they first came available in quantity here in the US. It was in pretty good shape, since I live close by Atlanta Cutlery and went down there and personally picked one out. I never shot it and traded it off for something; can't remember what for.

Now I have a Cadet in .310...expensive ammo but fun to shoot. I believe it takes a heeled bullet,if that's the right term. And kinda tricky to reload, but it shoots .32-20 ammo just fine. And sizes the cases at the same time.

Thought about converting it to a .22 Hornet. But then, it'sin pretty good shape. Came from New South Wales. Guess I'll leave the old gun alone.

JayFramer · Dec 20, 2019

I’d love a repro in something more commonly available, such as .45-70 Gov’t.

Why isn’t this a thing??

PS very comely little Scandanavian blonde in the video. Would love to get to know that sweet girl!

sigp220.45 · Dec 20, 2019

I got one of the rust bucket Nepalese ones a few years ago. I cleaned it up as best I could.

I have a nice chamber insert that lets me shoot .45 Colts out of it.

I took it to the indoor range and loaded her up with a factory .45 Colt load. About 4 feet of Victorian steel emerged from my stall and BLOOP - 255 grains of lead and at least 200 grains of newly-airborne rust burst lustily forth from the muzzle.

After that it shot fine. One guy walked over to see if I was using a suppressor! It was really quiet out of that long barrel.

Its time to bust it out again.

The Zulu War rifle: Martini-Henry

Texas Star

US Veteran

6string

Member

Ivan the Butcher

Member

Rubone

Member

JohnRippert

Member

THE PILGRIM

Member

Kiwi cop

Member

Attachments

old tanker

Member

pistolpal

Member

Gene L

Member

JayFramer

Member

sigp220.45

US Veteran

Similar threads

Latest posts