Thread: Another Enfield

So I've picked up a Martini Enfield .303 and just wondering if anyone can shed some light on the markings or maybe recommend somewhere I can look them up.

Anyone else shoot/reload for these? Do they handle modern factory ammo? These questions have been flogged out on other forums I know but always good to get a kiwi perspective.

It doesn't owe me anything so will probably try and do a bit of a restore job on it.

I think that NZ stamp might be home guard.
But someone with a lot more knowledge than me I’m sure will be along soon to shed more light on it

Originally Posted by kickinwings

Anyone else shoot/reload for these? Do they handle modern factory ammo? These questions have been flogged out on other forums I know but always good to get a kiwi perspective.

They replaced the Martinin henry and were in their turn superseded by the Magazine Lee Enfield . Both of which used black powder. So to relaod in period one should use black powder and a cast lead projectile.
I have one which I am going to reload and will use BP and Lead. It has a "bulge" in the barrel which i suspect scared the bejesus out of an earlier owner long ago.

I recommend BP, and cast Lead ...Have to go out for the day, but if others have not assisted you with the marks etc when i return, will do what I can then

As to the markings, the E on the knoxform is for enfield rifling so she is intended for smokeless rounds, an M would mean metford and black powder.
The NZ 99 is the year of acceptance into the NZ army 1899 the 4561 is its acceptance no. Over 5000 of these came here between 1898 and 1901 some went to South Africa but most were for training here.
The two broad arrows head to head are the sold out of service mark sometimes seen with an s above and below.
She was originally a mk 111 martini class 1 (frontline) made in 1880 and in 1896 was converted to martini enfield again class 1.
This entailed changing the woodwork, barrel, extractor and most probably fitting a new block as by then they had figured out the dovetail conversion of the original block wasnt quite up to it.
Thats about it from the photos is it stamped anywhere else, a lot of these have home guard stamps prefixed HG x where x is a number for the district. Interesting bit of history.
Oh the 1863 on the left hand side is its original serial no as a martini henry.

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

As to the markings, the E on the knoxform is for enfield rifling so she is intended for smokeless rounds, an M would mean metford and black powder.
The NZ 99 is the year of acceptance into the NZ army 1899 the 4561 is its acceptance no. Over 5000 of these came here between 1898 and 1901 some went to South Africa but most were for training here.
The two broad arrows head to head are the sold out of service mark sometimes seen with an s above and below.
She was originally a mk 111 martini class 1 (frontline) made in 1880 and in 1896 was converted to martini enfield again class 1.
This entailed changing the woodwork, barrel, extractor and most probably fitting a new block as by then they had figured out the dovetail conversion of the original block wasnt quite up to it.
Thats about it from the photos is it stamped anywhere else, a lot of these have home guard stamps prefixed HG x where x is a number for the district. Interesting bit of history.
Oh the 1863 on the left hand side is its original serial no as a martini henry.

Awesome cheers for that MH. From what I can tell there doesn't seem to be other markings on the stock etc but I'll have another comb over it tonight. Yeah pretty interesting piece of history all right, hard case thinking how many hands its been in before mine.

So the next million dollar question is what is the best way to get a forend and barrel band etc for it? Try and get one at an antique arms auction? There's some bits and pieces in Australia but god knows if you can export things from over there these days.

Good luck, youve got the barrel band and swivel all you need is a new forewood, nosecap and topwood I say only somewhat in jest if you can find them they will probably cost as much as a new rifle. Just enjoy it for what it is would be my advice.

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Just enjoy it for what it is would be my advice.

True, good advice.