NZAR # 63 Martini Enfield Rifle MK I,

This is an abridged version (some images removed)of: 

NZART ID No: 63,   Arm Type:  Rifle,  Date of Draft (V2) 15/7/2012, Compiled by John Osborne & Phil Cregeen

Pattern:  Martini Enfield Rifle MK I, Introduced into NZ Service: 1898, Withdrawn: Post WWII 

Makers:  (Conversion) RSAF Enfield, BSA, LSA, HRB

 Details of Arm:

Calibre: .303 British, Rifling: 5 grooves 1:10 in LH Twist,   Barrel Length: 30.2in., OA Length: 46.25 in. (1180 mm),

 Action: Martini tilting block, single shot.   Weight:  8 Lb 5 oz, (3.6 Kg)

Sights: Barleycorn on fixed block foresight, leaf back sight graduated 600 to1800 yds., bed 200 to 500 yds.

Bayonet: (NZART  # 156)  Pattern 1895 socket, Length OA 25.0 in (635 mm), Blade 21.5 in (546mm), MRD 16.9 mm,

Scabbard 22.0 in (559mm)

Markings: Makers name and date as Martini Henry on RH action body, conversion on LHS of body, NZ Issue marks on top of receiver body.

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                                                    Martini Enfield Rifle Mk I, NZ No 2341 (^/NSZ/98)  

The Martini Enfield Mk I was a conversion of the Martini Henry Mk III rifle and was approved in LOC 8118 dated 4 October 1895.  The conversion comprised of fitting a new .303 barrel, breech block, extractor and a top hand guard, other parts were Martini Henry altered as required with the addition of Lee Metford barrel bands, swivels and cleaning rod. The Pattern 1895 bayonet was a conversion of the Martini Henry Pattern1876 bayonet, but fitted underneath the barrel instead of on the RHS.

Conversions commenced at RSAF Enfield in 1895 and continued until 1903 by which time 48,610 conversions had been completed at this factory.

New Zealand Service

 The first consignment of Martini Enfield rifles arrived in New Zealand in 1898(a) and are so marked.  Initially these rifles equipped troops in the North Island while those in the South Island retained the Martini Henry(b). Further supplies of Martini Enfield Rifles were received in 1899 although by this time the Volunteer forces had increased in numbers due to the Boer War and there were still not enough rifles to equip all troops.

By 1901 the Martini Enfield rifles on issue were being called in and replaced by Magazine Lee Enfields, they were then supplied to rifle clubs©. This change of arms had been completed by 1903(d).  By 1907 about 2,400 Martini Enfield Rifles had been sold to Defence Rifle Clubs(e).

In 1910 a thousand Martini Enfield Rifles were converted to carbine by local armourers to augment supplies of carbines for the Senior Cadet Force(f). The example below has a 1912 dated barrel, so this work may have been spread over several years.                             

A return of arms for 1913 showed 1,124 ME Rifles on issue to Senior Cadets, 2,515 ME Carbines (including converted rifles) on issue to Cadets and  2,607 ME Rifles sold to Defence Rifle Clubs.(g)

Martini Enfield Rifles saw service with the Home Guard during WW II.

Acknowledgements and special thanks to:            Graham Priest, Phil Cregeen, Harvey Wells, Grant Sherriff, Otago Daily Times, Osborne Arms

Museum.

References:                                                             SAIS No 15 .450 & .303 Martini Rifles and Carbines I Skennerton

                                                                                A Treatise on the British Military Martini -the .40 & .303 Martinis By B A Templeton & ID Skennerton.

                                                                                AJHR-H 19 (a)1898, (b)1899,(c)1901,(d)1903,(e)1907,(f)1910,(g)1913.

                                                                                NZAHAA Gazette September 2009 –The NZ Martini Enfield Carbine for Cadets by Noel Taylor