1885 Martini Henry

[filmokentucky]

Does anyone have any experience with the P-1885( Long Lever)Martini
Henry rifles being sold by Atlanta Cutlery? I read an article recently that said they clean up nicely-to shootable condition, in fact. Also, for an extra
fee, they will pick out a nicer rifle for you. Does anyone know anything about this? I believe that there is another outfit in New Jersey that is selling them, too. Any information would be appreciated.

[Ray Newman]

I ordered one (can't recall which mark it was) & sent it back for a refund.--was really beat up. I know of about 4-5 other Shooters who had the same experience w/ other M-H Marks.

However, on the M-H boards that I monitor, some Shooters posted that they supposedly have had good luck & seem pleased.

Guess it’s the luck of the draw & as w/ all advertising, a good deal of skepticism is in order.

 As far as hand select, this is the way it was explained to me: if there are 10 rifles in the rack, you get the so-called best of those 10. If they are all ‘beaters’,  or rather ‘well used‘, you get the ‘best well used’ of those 10.

 Se below links for some M-H boards that may have some threads of interest:

http://www.jouster.com/cgi-bin/martini-henry/martini.pl

http://p223.ezboard.com/fbritishmilitariaforumsfrm1

http://gunboards.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=14

One of the best M-H info web site:
http://www.martinihenry.com/

Be advised that brass, dies, & moulds for these Ol'Warhorses are expensive!

[Double D]

Several things to keep in mind, new rifle these ain't.  Antiques rifles they are.  The have been in storage for a lot of years.  They will have handling marks and some rust.  I have yet to hear of one with a bad bore.

The general consensus is that they are outstanding examples and well worth the money.  I have seen a couple and they were as good or better than any that have been floating around the market prior.

Word of warning.

Brass will cost you $100 for 20 drawn brass cases.

Dies are $166.

Grooves are .464 for the short levers and .468 or larger for the Long Levers.  You are going to need to paper patch or cast larger size bullets.

Cases are cavernous and only work well with Black powder or the Black powder substitutes.  I have been using Hodgdon Triple Seven with pretty good luck in mine.

Chamber adapters are available so you can shoot 45 Long Colt in these rifles.  But keep in mind that .45 Colt bullets are .454.  The say you can shoot .458 bullet in these adapters but that would rough on the .45 Colt brass.  Some say they are getting good groups  with these adapters, but that's not been my experience. From my experience using the adapter is kind of like taking a shower while wearing a raincoat...

If you can live with these fact, definitely get yourself one of IMA Martini's