Offered here is a MARTINI HENRY MK II single shot military rifle manufactured in 1881 by the RSAF ENFIELD Royal Small Arms Factory in the United Kingdom. The Martini Henry was the standard British service rifle of the late Victorian era and was widely issued to British Army and British Indian forces across the British Empire.
The receiver retains clear original markings
CROWN VR ENFIELD 1881 II
The marking VR stands for VICTORIA REGINA, referring to Queen Victoria. The barrel shows correct British black powder proof markings BP along with the BROAD ARROW British government property mark.
The rifle is chambered in the original military caliber
577 450 MARTINI HENRY
and features the classic Victorian era SINGLE SHOT FALLING BLOCK action. Martini Henry rifles were widely used by British forces during numerous 19th century imperial campaigns including the SECOND ANGLO AFGHAN WAR.
This rifle also bears a Nepalese Devanagari arsenal inventory marking located on the bottom of the trigger guard bow
नं ५४०
The marking नं means number and ५४० represents the number 540, translating to NO 540. This type of marking was commonly applied by Nepalese arsenals to identify rifles within their military inventory system.
During the late 19th century Britain transferred or sold large numbers of Martini Henry rifles to allied states including the KINGDOM OF NEPAL. These rifles were subsequently marked with Devanagari inventory numbers when entered into Nepalese military arsenals.
This example therefore represents an 1881 British manufactured ENFIELD Martini Henry service rifle that later entered NEPALESE MILITARY ARSENAL INVENTORY, adding additional historical context to the piece.
The rifle retains strong original markings, a mechanically complete action, visible rifling in the bore, original military wood furniture, and an honest age patina consistent with Victorian era service rifles.
MODEL
MARTINI HENRY MK II
MANUFACTURER
RSAF ENFIELD
COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE
UNITED KINGDOM
YEAR OF MANUFACTURE
1881
CALIBER
577 450 MARTINI HENRY
ACTION
SINGLE SHOT FALLING BLOCK
HISTORICAL PERIOD
VICTORIAN ERA BRITISH EMPIRE SERVICE RIFLE
LATER HISTORY
NEPALESE MILITARY ARSENAL INVENTORY
