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Thread: Martini Enfield mk2 .303
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18-09-2020, 16:18 #1
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Martini Enfield mk2 .303
Good day everyone I was pondering if someone here might have more info on the 1900 Martini Enfield Mk2 rifles. I can't seem to find out if mine was imported or maybe left here after the boer war. It does not seem to have markings indicating it is an Natal rifle but it does have an wooden hand guard but from what I can find out is the mk2 had this as standard . Hope there is someone that can assist
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Attachment 32214
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18-09-2020, 17:00 #2
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Re: Martini Enfield mk2 .303
If I can make a suggestion, the people in the know can usually help much better if you include photos of the rifle and any marking it may have.
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18-09-2020, 17:02 #3
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18-09-2020, 18:22 #4
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Re: Martini Enfield mk2 .303
These guys have a vast amount of knowledge:
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/britishmilitariaforums/
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18-09-2020, 19:57 #5
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Re: Martini Enfield mk2 .303
Check out Niel Aspenshaws website on the Martini. It has a wealth of info.
Just going to throw this out there; you looking to sell it?Don’t take life too seriously, no one gets out alive.
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18-09-2020, 21:27 #6
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Re: Martini Enfield mk2 .303
Also try this site for anything with permutations of "Martini", "Lee", "Enfield", "Metford" etc in the name: https://www.rifleman.org.uk/
Although now that I look at it, everything else is there but there's barely a mention of that particular permutation ;-)
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19-09-2020, 09:09 #7
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19-09-2020, 12:00 #8
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Re: Martini Enfield mk2 .303
The Mk II Martini Enfield is a fairly uncommon rifle in South Africa and research indicates that only the Mk I was issued to the Natal Volunteers shortly prior to the Boer War. These remained with the regular regiments until the Magazine Lee Enfield was issued post Boer War. I have found no evidence that the Cape ever used Martini Enfield Rifles, but like Natal, ME Carbines were issued.
Both the Natal and Cape Martini Enfields bear very distinctive military markings and examination of Australian military rifles indicates a similar practice. I thus very strongly suspect that any Martini Enfield Mk II Rifle found in South Africa without such markings was imported commercially as military surplus.
I attach photos of The Martini Enfield Mk I & II with their model markings. Top, Mk I.
Attachment 32218
Attachment 32219Attachment 32220
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19-09-2020, 12:31 #9
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19-09-2020, 12:35 #10
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Hi Terry. I have a MK1 Martini Henry Rifle, made by Enfield in 1874, in 577/450. It’s been upgraded to MkII specs and carries 2nd class stamps with Cape Government markings. The story I was told is there were issued around the Cape just before or during the start of the Boer War to reserve forces. If you like I’ll send you some pics.
Don’t take life too seriously, no one gets out alive.
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