Product Details
A .577-450 (M/H) SINGLE-SHOT CARBINE, UNSIGNED, MODEL 'MKII ARTILLERY CARBINE', no visible serial number,
circa 1885, with round 21 1/2in. barrel (welded saw-cut at breech), block and blade fore-sight, ladder rear-sight, slab-sided receiver stamped '2' on the right hand side, walnut butt-stock with brass identity disc, iron furniture and full length walnut fore-end with two iron barrel-bands, the front one with bayonet lug and original clearing rod
Other Notes: During the latter part of the 19th century, the demand for Martini-Henry carbines far exceeded supply, with militias and police across the British Empire asking for arms to replace the outdated Sniders. With the new .303 rifles being supplied to the line regiments, Martini Henry rifles began to be returned to stores. Accordingly, in 1891, the decision was made to convert Second Class surplus Martini Henry Mark II and Mark III Rifles to become what was designated the Martini Henry Mark II Artillery Carbine. A total of 38,407 were converted by the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield between 1892 and 1896 and shipped across the world. Those that remained in Britain were predominantly recycled for cadet drill purposes and deactivated by having the barrel cut. These carbines had a very hard life and finding one in good condition is rare.
The butt disc shows issue to the 2nd Hampshire Artillery Volunteers in April 1894, and the rack number of 410.
The invasion scare of 1859 led to the formation of a large artillery volunteer force and the 2nd Hants A.V. were formed at Southsea the following year. By 1900 the 2nd Hants had 10 garrison batteries, with numbers 1-5, 8 &10 at Portsmouth, 6 at Gosport, 7 at Freshwater (Isle of Wight) and 9 at Cosham. In 1904 the 2nd Hampshire won the King's Prize for Garrison Artillery at the annual National Artillery Association competition held at Shoeburyness, The unit was absorbed into the Territorial Force in 1908.
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Estimate £400-600
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament