303 caliber cartridge initially by being re-barreled with Metford rifled barrels. In 1889, the Martini-Henry rifles were converted to fire the then-new. Martini’s design relies heavily on an earlier design by an American, Henry O. The rifle combined the breech-loading action of Swiss designer Friedrich von Martini with the rifling designed by Alexander Henry, a Scotsman. Adopted in 1871, the Martini-Henry was the first purpose-designed breech-loading, metallic cartridge rifle in British service. 577 caliber Martini-Henry rifle that armed British regulars at such battles as Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana during the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War. The Martini-Enfield is a modification of the famous. The rifle has an adjustable rear leaf sight mounted to the barrel and a fixed front sight near the muzzle. The loop trigger guard and both bands had sling swivels attached, but the front swivel is missing on this example. The nose cap has a mount for a sword bayonet. The rifle is full-stocked with a three-piece walnut stock that includes a butt with steel butt plate and a two-piece handguard with two barrel bands and a nose cap.
A teardrop shaped indicator on the right side of the receiver points towards the butt when the action is cocked. The action uses an internal striker to fire the cartridge rather than an external hammer. Moving the lever down and forward drops the block, cocks the action and ejects a spent cartridge after firing allowing a fresh cartridge to be loaded through the top of the breech. The rifle has a falling-block breech operated by an under-lever extending from the bottom of the breech and ending in a loop against the wrist of the stock. A breech-loading, single shot rifle firing a.